Brazilian court reduces sentence of ex-president da Silva

ADDS DA SILVA'S SENTENCE REDUCTION - Supporter of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, holds signs with text that reads in Portuguese "Free Lula" and "Lula Innocent" during a vigil in front of the headquarters of the Superior Court of Justice, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Da Silva, who was found guilty of passive corruption and money laundering, has been in jail since April of last year. Brazil’s second highest court is reducing the sentence of incarcerated ex-president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva from 12 years and one month to eight years and 10 months. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

ADDS DA SILVA'S SENTENCE REDUCTION - A supporter of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, holds a Worker’s Party flag with text that reads in Portuguese "Free Lula," during a vigil in front of the headquarters of the Superior Court of Justice, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Da Silva, who was found guilty of passive corruption and money laundering, has been in jail since April of last year. Brazil’s second highest court is reducing the sentence of incarcerated ex-president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva from 12 years and one month to eight years and 10 months. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil's second-highest court is reducing the sentence of incarcerated former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva from 12 years and one month to eight years and 10 months.

The Supreme Court of Justice voted Tuesday on a request by da Silva's lawyers that it annul the ex-president's corruption conviction or reduce his sentence. The session's four judges voted unanimously in favor of reducing the sentence.

Da Silva was convicted of corruption and money laundering over a beachfront apartment that prosecutors say he received from a construction company in exchange for lucrative government contracts. He was jailed in April 2018.

Da Silva maintains his innocence and has said he will continue to appeal to higher courts.