Ex-brazil leader begins jail term amid protests

CURITIBA, Brazil — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva woke up in jail Sunday as the first current or former president in Brazil’s modern history to be incarcerated, adding a measure of unpredictability to the country’s upcoming presidential elections.

Foreshadowing possible unrest in the weeks to come, about 500 supporters remained outside of the jail hours after police shot rubber bullets and sprayed tear gas.

The Workers’ Party said eight people were injured during the previous night’s clashes and one hospitalized.

“The police cowardly attacked us last night, but we accept that we have to stay outside the perimeter. We will respect it,” said Roberto Baggio, local coordinator of the Landless Workers’ Movement. “We are expecting people from southern Brazil to arrive here today. We are not leaving until Lula is freed.”

Federal police agents said da Silva did not speak during his transfer from Sao Bernardo do Campo to Curitiba.

Da Silva’s fall from grace has unfolded over the past week after the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country’s top court, ruled against his petition to remain free while he continued to appeal his 12-year sentence for money laundering and corruption. But his prison conditions will not be dismal.

The 160-square-feet room that has been set aside for the former president is on the fourth floor of the five-story Federal Police building in Curitiba. It is mostly used as a dormitory for agents visiting from other cities across the country.