Old billionaire Eike Batista is temporarily free

Brazilian businessman Eike Batista is awaiting the remaining period of his trial at home.

The sixty-year-old Batista was the richest man of the country five years ago and probably the sixth richest person in the world. In the meantime, the lion's share of its wealth has disappeared and Batista is suspected of money laundering and bribery. In 2015, Batista even acquired the nickname 'billionaire in the minus' because he would already have a billion dollar debt.

Batista is blamed, among other things, by accusing the former governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, of converting 15.5 million euros of lending. The judge indicated that the crimes for which he is entitled are serious but not violent. He therefore sees no reason to hold Batista longer.