MSG147G/01E BRAZIL: Many Dissatisified With Acquittal of Former President
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dic 14 (IPS) - Some 88 percent of those polled in Sao Paulo, Brazil disapproved of the Supreme Court's acquittal of former President Fernando Collar, accused of "passive" corruption during his 1990-1992 term.
The poll - carried out by InformEstado of the local daily "O Estado" - showed that only 12 percent of the people in the city felt that "justice was done" in the case.
Meanwhile, 72 percent attributed the ruling to "failings in the Brazilian justice system." Nine percent said Collor "was in fact innocent," and the remaining 19 percent blamed an inefficient prosecution.
While 21 percent of the respondents said they expected an acquittal, the outcome of the case took 79 percent by surprise.
The telephone poll reached 208 people chosen at random.
Collor was acquitted Monday of the sole charge that had been brought against him: that of receiving illegal "commissions" from businesses interested in government contracts.
The Supreme Federal Court ruled, five to three, thinsufficient evidence. The five judges who supported acquittal cited a lack of material proof of passive corruption.
The defence called for documented proof and the presentation of those responsible for "active" corruption.
However, Collor's former Treasurer Paulo Cesar Farias and three others were condemned after confessing to opening bank accounts under fictitious names in order to hide the posession and management of large sums of money.
Farias was sentenced to seven years of limited confinement, at liberty during the day, but spending each night in prison. The others received prison terms ranging from 14 to 28 months, but are eligible for parole.
© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service