former president Lula may soon be released from prison

Sentenced in the "Lava Jato" case, he has been serving a sentence of eight years and ten months in prison since April 2018 for corruption after a most controversial trial.

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Supporters of former Brazilian President Lula celebrate the decision of the Supreme Court on November 7 in Brasilia.
Supporters of former Brazilian President Lula celebrate the decision of the Supreme Court on November 7 in Brasilia. ERALDO PERES / AP

The news could not be better: just one year after the surprise election of Jair Bolsonaro at the head of Brazil, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has just won a decisive legal victory, which could lead to his quick release.

Thursday, November 7, late in the evening, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil (STF, the country's highest legal authority) issued a decree of crucial importance, finding unconstitutional jurisprudence that a convict can be imprisoned before exhaustion of all his appeals, if his conviction has been confirmed on appeal.

The decision of the eleven judges, narrowly passed after endless debate by six votes to five, could result in the release of prison Friday, November 8, Lula, who celebrated from his cell on October 27, his 74 years. The ex-president, sentenced in the "Lava Jato" case ("express washing"), has been serving a sentence of eight years and ten months in prison on the premises of the federal police in Curitiba since April 2018 , following a most controversial lawsuit. He was then accused of having received a triplex in the seaside resort of Guaruja, near Sao Paulo, in exchange for contracts awarded to a construction company.

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Euphoria

On the left, it is the euphoria: demonstrations of joy took place in different cities of the country, in particular in the Nordeste, acquired to the Workers Party (PT), founded by the former metallo became head of the State . Several prominent figures, including the newly elected Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, also lent their support to Lula.

What will the one who all his followers call "president", if he was indeed brought out of prison? Lula remained discreet about her intentions, having vaguely declared, in the past, to want to start a tour of the country at the head of a "caravan" campaign. The proposal already delights its closest supporters. "Lula must take the lead of the opposition in Bolsonaro!, says the deputy Paulo Pimenta, leader of the PT group in the National Assembly. He has an immense heritage, he embodies social justice, he is respected abroad. I think he is the only one who can, today, give hope to society, reunify the country. For me, no doubt: Lula will live until 120 years and will be the next president of Brazil. "

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