CORRUPTION: Former Brazilian president Lula defies police order to turn himself in

Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has refused a court order to surrender to authorities and start a 12-year prison sentence for corruption.

Reports say the deadline for Lula to turn himself in to local police has expired as he remained holed up in the metal workers’ union building in his hometown of Sao Bernardo do Campo.

Federal Judge Sergio Moro on Thursday ordered Lula to report at a police station in the southern city of Curitiba by Friday 5pm local time (20:00 GMT) to begin serving his sentence.

Read also: SIERRA LEONE RUN-OFF: Dispute looms as opposition, ruling party claim win

Two days ago, a final verdict on the habeas corpus plea filed by Lula was taken by the Supreme Court in Brazil which rejected the former leader’s bid to avoid prison.

According to reports, the pivotal vote was cast by Justice Rosa Weber against Lula’s request to avoid jail and begin serving his 12-year sentence for accepting bribes.

The court ruling is deemed as a big blow to Lula as he appealed a corruption conviction, in a vote that is likely to ends his political career and deepens divisions in the country.

 

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