Former Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva has passed the night in a union building in his hometown outside Sao Paulo, after missing a deadline to hand himself over to the authorities.
He was due to start a 12-year prison term for corruption after a trial he says was politically motivated.
Lawyers for Lula, who is 72, argue he should remain free pending appeals.
He came out to greet supporters on Saturday before attending a Mass in memory of his late wife.
Marisa Leticia died last year.
Reports suggest police in the city are preparing to bring him in.
A large crowd of supporters are surrounding the building in the suburb of Sao Bernardo do Campo, where Lula built his trade union and political career.
The former metalworker and trade union activist is an iconic figure for the left in Latin America. He is the first left-wing leader to make it to the Brazilian presidency in nearly half a century.
The authorities stress he is not being regarded as a fugitive, as everyone knows where he is.
Lula says his conviction was designed to stop him from running for president in October’s poll, which he had been favourite to win.
In an order issued on Thursday, federal judge Sergio Moro said Lula had to present himself before 17:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Friday at the federal police headquarters in the southern city of Curitiba.
Minutes before the deadline, his lawyers lost a bid to keep him out of jail while he appealed against his conviction.
These past 24 hours have captivated Brazil. Helicopters have been circling the metalworkers’ union building where Lula is with his supporters, broadcasting every move for viewers across the country.
As Friday went on the crowds got bigger. The deadline came and went, and the thousands of Lula fans waiting outside carried on regardless – chanting their support for a man many say was the best president Brazil ever had.
What happens now though is unclear – even for a country used to complicated political sagas, this is uncharted territory. Will he go willingly, or could he – and his supporters – put up a fight? There is concern that Lula’s demise could yet turn violent.
