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Estrada gets life for corruption Estrada gets life for corruption
(29 minutes later)
Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada has been found guilty of corruption and jailed for life.Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada has been found guilty of corruption and jailed for life.
Mr Estrada was accused of embezzling about $80m (£42m) before he was forced from office by street protests in 2001. He was found not guilty of perjury. The former film star was accused of embezzling about $80m (£42m) before he was forced from office by street protests in 2001.
He will serve out the sentence under house arrest on his country estate. Estrada was also ordered to forfeit a mansion and more than $15.5m. He will serve out the sentence under house arrest on his country estate.
There was tight security in the Philippine capital, Manila, ahead of the verdict, as Mr Estrada's supporters were kept away from the courthouse. He described the verdict as a political decision by a kangaroo court.
He denies the allegations, accusing his successor Gloria Arroyo and Church leaders of conspiring against him. Estrada was found not guilty of a separate charge of perjury.
The 70-year-old former film star has said previously that he will appeal if found guilty. His son Jinggoy was acquitted of the charge of plunder.
Analysts say that the fact that Mr Estrada will be spending more time behind bars is likely to anger the urban poor who make up the bulk of his support. 'Sad episode'
There was tight security in the Philippine capital, Manila, as Estrada's supporters were kept several blocks away from the courthouse.
I thought the role of justice would prevail here butreally it's a kangaroo court Joseph Estrada Profile: Joseph Estrada
A spokesman for President Gloria Arroyo called for calm.
"We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail," Ignacio Bunye said, quoted by AP.
"Meantime, we have a country to run, aneconomy to grow and a peace to win. We hope that this sadepisode in our history will not permanently distract usfrom this goal."
Estrada denies the allegations, accusing Mrs Arroyo and Church leaders of conspiring against him, and has said he will appeal if found guilty.
"I thought the role of justice would prevail here butreally it's a kangaroo court," he said after the verdict was announced.
Analysts say that the fact that Estrada will be spending more time behind bars is likely to anger the urban poor who make up the bulk of his support.
Divisive figureDivisive figure
The trial began soon after Mr Estrada was ousted from power in 2001, amid violent street protests. The trial began soon after Estrada was ousted from power in 2001, amid violent street protests.
Estrada has protested his innocence and said he will appeal
The former movie star still has mass popular appeal, and over the years the court proceedings have attracted plenty of media attention.The former movie star still has mass popular appeal, and over the years the court proceedings have attracted plenty of media attention.
"I have been imprisoned for six years, four months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these," Mr Estrada said on Tuesday, in a taped message smuggled out of his home, where he is under house arrest. "I have been imprisoned for six years, four months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these," he said on Tuesday, in a taped message smuggled out of his home, where he is under house arrest.
He said he believed the public was already convinced of his innocence, adding: "Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me."He said he believed the public was already convinced of his innocence, adding: "Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me."