Judge orders Brazil’s Lula to remain in jail

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Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is embraced during his presidential campaign rally with members of his Workers Party and leaders of other left-wing parties in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, April 2, 2018. Despite a conviction on corruption charges that could see him barred from running, da Silva is the front runner in that race. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

 

SAO PAULO: A Brazilian appeals court judge on Sunday ordered President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to remain in jail, reversing an earlier order from judge on the same court.

Judge Joao Gebran Neto is the judge in charge of overseeing da Silva’s case at the Fourth Federal Regional Tribunal and a legal analyst said his decision supersedes the other judge’s.

Earlier Sunday, Judge Rogerio Favreto ordered da Silva freed. A brief impasse ensued when a lower court judge ordered police to hold off.

Gebran Neto then stepped in.

Da Silva began serving his sentence in April after he was convicted in a case connected to Brazil’s massive corruption investigation. He denies wrongdoing.

Hundreds of da Silva supporters are gathering in the city where he is jailed calling for his release.