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Rio carnival: Samba school wins with anti-corruption message

Beija Flor's winning performance took a sinister turn

This year's Rio Carnival has been won with a lurid attack on social ills and corruption in Brazil.

The Beija Flor school showed the country with a huge rat in charge, while politicians were seen holding briefcases lined with gold.

Beija Flor beat 12 other schools to win the top prize at the carnival for a 14th time. Preparations for the parade begin months in advance.

Entrants in the competition often adopt a political theme.

The second-placed school also criticised Brazilian leaders in their entry, depicting President Michel Temer as a vampire.

A corruption scandal involving state oil giant Petrobras has led to the arrest of dozens of politicians and executives during years of investigation in Brazil and elsewhere.

News imageReuters Skull-shaped oil barrels are lifted up at Rio CarnivalReuters
Beija Flor focussed its anger on the state oil company Petrobras and the misuse of the country's oil wealth
News imageEPA Machine guns on display as part of a Rio Carnival paradeEPA
The performance showed scenes of the growing violence in Brazil's favelas
News imageEPA Kidnappings, the shooting of policemen and a child's body shown at Rio CarnivalEPA
Kidnappings, the shooting of policemen and a child's body in a coffin were shown this year
News imageReuters Performers dressed as prisoners at Rio CarnivalReuters
The capital Brasilia was shown seated on top of prison cells filled with inmates - described as universities of crime
News imageAFP Government officials depicted as wolves in sheep's clothing with golden suitcases of money at Rio CarnivalAFP
Government officials were depicted as wolves in sheep's clothing with golden suitcases of money