Against backers’ wishes, ex-leader submits to police
SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was taken into police custody Saturday after a tense showdown with his supporters, the capstone of an intense three days that underscored raw emotions over the incarceration of a once wildly popular leader who has been engulfed by corruption allegations.
Just hours earlier, da Silva told thousands of supporters that he would turn himself in to police. But he also maintained his innocence and argued his corruption conviction was simply a way for enemies to make sure he doesn’t run — and possibly win — re-election in October.
When he first tried to leave to turn himself in, however, dozens of supporters blocked a gate where a car carrying da Silva was trying to exit.
After a few minutes of tense words between guards and supporters, the former president got out of the car and entered the metal workers union headquarters where he had been holed up.
Police surrounded the union that was the birthplace of da Silva’s rise to power, raising fears of clashes. Da Silva emerged a second time after nightfall, surrounded by bodyguards who pushed back supporters who tried to stop him.
The dramatic scene was the latest development in a whirlwind series of days, which began when the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country’s top court, ruled against his petition Thursday to remain free while he continued to appeal his conviction.
Judge Sergio Moro, who oversees many of the “Car Wash” corruption cases, then ordered an arrest warrant for da Silva, giving him until 5 p.m. Friday to present himself to police in Curitiba, about 260 miles southwest of Sao Bernardo do Campo, and begin serving his 12-year sentence.
Da Silva, who Brazilians simply call “Lula,” did no such thing. Instead, he hunkered down with supporters in the union headquarters.
“The police and ‘Car Wash’ investigators lied. The prosecutors lied,” said da Silva, as his supporters cheered.
Still, da Silva said he would turn himself in “to go there and face them eye to eye. The more days they leave me (in jail), the more Lulas will be born in this country.”
Last year, Moro convicted da Silva of trading favors with a construction company in exchange for the promise of a beachfront apartment. The conviction was upheld on appeal.