A Brazilian judge accepted corruption charges Tuesday against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, after prosecutors accused the populist leftist of masterminding a massive embezzlement ring at the state oil company Petrobras.

"Given that there is sufficient evidence of (Lula's) responsibility... I accept the charges," Judge Sergio Moro, the head of a sweeping probe into the Petrobras case, said in his decision.