Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Monday 9 april 2018

Still popular, Brazil's Lula starts serving jail sentence

By MAURICIO SAVARESE Some of those being held
and JILL LANGLOIS in the general lockup area
Associated Press are also charged with
CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — For- crimes related to the Car
mer Brazilian President Luiz Wash corruption scandal,
Inacio Lula da Silva woke such as Antonio Palocci,
up in jail Sunday, becoming a former minister in da Sil-
the first current or former va's government, and Leo
president in Brazil's modern Pinheiro, the former presi-
history to be incarcerated dent of construction firm
amid an ongoing saga OAS, who testified that the
that has added a measure apartment at the center
of unpredictability to the of da Silva's case was re-
country's upcoming presi- served for the former presi-
dential elections. dent as part of a bribe.
Foreshadowing possible During his time at the jail,
unrest in the weeks to da Silva will be on 24-hour
come, about 500 support- watch and will be given
ers remained outside of the two hours outside each
jail hours after police shot day. His three meals will be
rubber bullets and sprayed served with plastic utensils
tear gas to disperse the and he will be able to re-
crowd. ceive visitors on Wednes-
The Workers' Party said days.
eight people were injured If Moro had not ordered
during the previous night's that da Silva be held in
clashes and one was hos- Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, leaves the metal workers union headquarters in Sao the special room, he could
pitalized. No serious injuries Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Saturday, April 7, 2018. have gone to a prison like
were reported. Associated Press Complexo Medico Penal
"The police cowardly at- de Pinhais, in greater Curi-
tacked us last night, but cell, the 160-square-feet in a good mood and that should have been there al- tiba, where former Workers'
we accept that we have room that has been set she accompanied him in ready," said Valmir Oliveira, Party treasurer Joao Vac-
to stay outside the perim- aside for the former presi- Curitiba until he entered who works for Parana's san- cari is jailed.
eter. We will respect it," dent is located on the the room where he will itation company. "For the The towering political fig-
said Roberto Baggio, local fourth floor of the five-story serve his sentence. majority that works for this ure, who had originally de-
coordinator of the Land- Federal Police building in Meanwhile, opinions about country, this was a relief. He fied an arrest warrant and
less Workers' Movement. Curitiba. It is mostly used as the incarceration of da is not above the law. I hope hunkered down in a metal
"We are expecting people a dormitory for agents visit- Silva remain strong in the more of those politicians workers union where he
from southern Brazil to ar- ing from other cities across southern city of Curitiba, come to Curitiba." began his rise through the
rive here today. We are not the country. which is considered to be A few houses around the ranks of Brazilian politics,
leaving until Lula is freed." Brazilian news site G1 re- the center of the so-called federal police building flew will continue to appeal his
Da Silva's fall from grace ported that da Silva's room "Car Wash" investigation. Brazilian flags, which have corruption conviction from
has unfolded steadily over has bars on the outer side of Judge Sergio Moro, who become a symbol of those jail.
the past week after the Su- its single window and none oversees many of the Car who wanted da Silva jailed. He is the latest high-profile
preme Federal Tribunal, the on its door. It has enough Wash cases in the city and But detractors had largely Brazilian to be ensnared in
country's top court, ruled space for a single bed ordered da Silva arrested, left the area around the the Car Wash investigation,
against his petition to re- and a small table now that is often seen as a hero for jail, and downtown Curi- which has seen several of
main free while he contin- its usual bunk beds have jailing politicians involved in tiba was quiet on Sunday the country's political and
ued to appeal his 12-year been removed. It also has the widespread corruption as residents seemed to go business elite arrested over
sentence for money laun- a private bathroom with a scheme. about their day. the last four years.
dering and corruption. toilet and a shower with hot "There are a lot of people in Da Silva will be held far He is also leading prefer-
But his prison conditions will water. jail who haven't even been from other prisoners in the ence polls ahead of Octo-
not be dismal. Workers' Party leader Gleisi tried. Lula was sentenced building, who are located ber's presidential election.
Not considered a formal Hoffmann said da Silva was to 12 years in prison, he on the second floor. q