Brazil judge issues warrant for former president Lula News
Brazil judge issues warrant for former president Lula

A Brazilian federal judge on Thursday issued a warrant [arrest warrant, PDF] for former president Luiz Inacio da Silva’s arrest.

Judge Sergio Moro issued [Al Jazeera report] the arrest warrant several hours after the Supreme Federal Court’s denial [JURIST report] of a request for habeas corpus from da Silva, who wanted to remain free while he appealed his 12-year prison sentence. The former president was convicted [JURIST report] of trading favors with a construction company in exchange for a luxury beachfront apartment.

In the arrest warrant, Moro prohibited the use of handcuffs in the former president’s arrest, writing:

It should be clarified that, because of the dignity of the position held, a reserved room, a sort of General Staff Room, was prepared in the Superintendency of the Federal Police itself for the commencement of the sentence…The former president will be separated from the other prisoners, without any risk to moral or physical integrity.

The judge further explained that da Silva’s conviction is not subject to change. He gave the former president until 5 PM on Friday to turn himself in to the Federal Police.