US oil giant Chevron has launched a legal appeal against a $9.5bn (£5.9bn) fine by an Ecuador court for polluting much of the country's Amazon region. Chevron accused lawyers and supporters of the indigenous groups who brought the case of "corrupting" the trial. It said the judgement contained "numerous legal and factual defects". The oil firm Texaco, which merged with Chevron in 2001, was accused of dumping billions of gallons of toxic materials into unlined pits and rivers…A statement by Chevron said the firm would pursue efforts at an international tribunal and in the US courts to prevent the ruling from being enforced. No payment can be made during the appeals process, which could drag on for years. [also refers to Texaco (part of Chevron)]