Supporters of Brazil's Lula stop him surrendering

Scores of them blocked his car leaving the trade union building near Sao Paulo where he has been staying.

He says he will give himself up despite saying he is innocent of the corruption charges of which he was convicted.

Two last-minute appeals to have his arrest warrant suspended had failed. 

Lula was the frontrunner for October's presidential election but his jailing will leave the race wide open.

The former metalworker and trade union activist is an iconic figure for the left in Latin America. He was the first left-wing leader to make it to the Brazilian presidency in nearly half a century.

The crowd had gathered for a Mass to commemorate the former leader's late wife, Marisa Leticia.

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