Brazil: Lula defies order to turn himself in April 6 /update 6

Event

Former president - and current presidential candidate - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) failed to report to the federal police headquarters in Curitiba by the court-ordered deadline, 17:00 (local time) on Friday, April 6, to begin serving his 12-year prison term for corruption. Lula reportedly remains at the headquarters of Brazil's Metalworkers union in São Bernardo do Campo (São Paulo state). According to reports, large crowds of Lula supporters have gathered around the headquarters, with federal police reluctant to wade through the crowds to apprehend him. Large demonstrations - both for and against Lula - were also reported, with widespread road closures due to protests. According to the Landless Workers Movement, a woman was shot in the leg at a blockade on the BR-101 highway when a driver pulled up and shot at demonstrators.

Lula has not spoken publicly but has posted several messages of defiance on his Twitter account. Reports claim allies of the former president were negotiating with federal police officials but a compromise has not been reached. Lula's decision could further inflame sociopolitical tensions and provoke further street protests by both pro-Lula and anti-Lula groups.

Context

The highly-anticipated Supreme Court ruling ordering Lula's incarceration was made in the early morning hours of April 5. Lula had been convicted to 12 years in prison in rulings made in July 2017 and January 2018 but had remained free as he exhausted the appeals process.

Lula was president from 2003 to 2011 and, as the country's first working-class ruler, was and remains a popular figure among much of the population. Despite his conviction, which would technically prohibit him from running in the upcoming October 7 presidential elections, he has been nominated by the Workers' Party (PT) as their presidential candidate. Lula and the PT have characterized his conviction as a political witch-hunt intended to keep him out of office.

Advice

Individuals in Brazil are advised to keep abreast of developments, and the sociopolitical climate more generally, and avoid all protests due to the potential for violence.