Supporters of Brazil's Lula stop him surrendering

Source: BBC News:

April 7, 2018 at 17:59

AFP/GETTY IMAGES /Lula's opponents protested outside the federal police headquarters where he was meant to surrender. The sign reads: "Lula, the place for a thief is prison."

Supporters of ex-Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva have stopped him surrendering to police after he agreed to end a stand-off over his prison sentence.

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.

Skip Twitter post by @Duffygary

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.

Read More (...)