Jailed at last

摘要

As Chief of staff to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2003-05, Jose Dirceu was the second most powerful man in Brazil. Then claims surfaced that he and other leaders of the ruling Workers' Party (pt) were orchestrating a scheme to bribe allies in return for congressional support. Few Brazilians believed that Mr Dirceu, who resigned, would be charged, let alone convicted or jailed in a country where impunity for politicians has long been the norm. But on November 15th the supreme-court president, Joaquim Barbosa, issued warrants for the arrest of Mr Dirceu and 11 others among the 25 found guilty last year of, variously, bribery, money-laundering, misuse of public funds and conspiracy, in a case known to Brazilians as the mensalao (big monthly stipend).