Brazil leader’s top aide indicted
One of president’s closest confidants charged with conspiracy in a graft scandal.
Jose Dirceu | ||
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Entered politics as president of the leftist National Students Union Advertisement
Resisted Brazil‘s 1964-85 military government until arrested Advertisement
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Expelled to Mexico with 14 other political prisoners in exchange for kidnapped US ambassador in 1969
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Went to Cuba where he had plastic surgery to change looks and underwent guerrilla training. Advertisement
Sneaked back into Brazil and lived covertly, not even revealing his true identity to wife Advertisement
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Went public only after government decreed political amnesty in 1979
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Founded Workers party with Lula, then a leftist labour union leader Advertisement
Helped craft centrist image that won Lula presidency in 2002 after three failed attempts Advertisement
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He denied the charges, but was stripped of his right to hold political office for eight years.