Brazilian Appeals Court Cancels Lula's Release Order

A Brazilian appeals court judge has revoked a ruling by another judge that ordered the release of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil. Lula, who enjoys significant popularity in Brazil, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption during his presidency. He has denied the corruption charges. Polls indicate that if Lula runs for the presidential election in October, he has a high chance of winning. According to these polls, if he runs, he would receive twice as many votes as the second-place candidate. On Sunday, July 8, Rogério Favreto, a Brazilian judge, issued the release order, arguing that Lula should have the same conditions as other presidential candidates. However, Carlos Eduardo Thompson Flores, the appeals court judge, overturned this ruling. Lula, the founder of the Workers' Party, served as Brazil's president from 2003 to 2011, during which Brazil experienced significant economic growth and his anti-poverty policies had positive results. In 2014, Brazilian prosecutors began investigations into corruption at the state oil company Petrobras, revealing widespread corruption involving many politicians from various parties. Lula is accused of facilitating a contract between Petrobras and the engineering company OAS in exchange for a beachfront apartment. Lula's defense lawyers argue that these charges are based on statements from the former head of OAS, who is himself accused of corruption. While in prison, Lula wrote articles analyzing football that were read by a veteran Brazilian journalist on radio and television programs. However, since last week, he has refrained from sending his sports commentary outside the prison to comply with election laws that prohibit potential candidates from participating in radio and television programs after the end of June.