Brazilian Federal Judge Sergio Moro overruled another judge’s order to release imprisoned former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, or “Lula,” on Sunday (Reuters). Lula is serving a 12-year sentence in prison for bribery, and awaits six additional trials for corruption charges (Reuters). Lula denies wrongdoing, calling the bribery accusation a “conspiracy” to bar him from running for president again (Al Jazeera). Brazilian electoral law prohibits politicians from running for office within eight years of being convicted of a crime (Al Jazeera).
Lula insists he is still a candidate in the upcoming presidential election (AP News). Despite his imprisonment, Lula consistently leads presidential polls, suggesting he could win a third term if allowed to enter the race (Al Jazeera). Next month, Brazil’s electoral court will decide whether Lula can run in the October election (Al Jazeera). Many political analysts say that the prospect of the electoral court allowing Lula to enter the race is highly unlikely (BBC).
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-44759692
Tags: elections, Brazil, Pagano, Courts, Lula