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Brazil Judge Seizes Lula's Passport and Bans Him from Leaving the Country

01/26/2018 - 10h57

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RUBENS VALENTE
FROM BRASÍLIA

Federal Judge Ricardo Leite of the Federal District's 10th Federal Court of Justice banned former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from leaving the country and ordered the seizure of his passport.

The ruling is unrelated to the fact that the former president was sentenced to 12 years and one month of prison by the 4th Regional Federal Court (TRF-4) on Wednesday (the 24th).

Judge Leite granted the Prosecutor General's Office of the Federal District its request concerning a lawsuit that deals with alleged crimes surrounding the Federal Government's acquisition of Swedish fighter aircrafts. The lawsuit is just one of four that Lula is responding to at the 10th Federal Court.

According to his press secretary, the measure led Lula to cancel his trip to Ethiopia early Friday morning (the 26th).

The warrant to seize the former president's passport was sent to the Director General of the Federal Police, Fernando Segovia, early Thursday evening (the 25th), who then notified Justice Minister Torquato Jardim. Mr. Jardim advised the director to directly notify Lula of the matter at the former-president's home.

Lula had intended to spend the weekend in the city of Addis Ababa and participate in a debate at that African Union Summit that will address policies for fighting hunger. The debate has been put together by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Federal Police thought it best to contact Lula's attorneys as soon as possible and have them cancel the trip so as to avoid any problems.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

Read the article in the original language

Diego Padgurschi/Folhapress
Former president Lula da Silva reacts during a meeting in São Paulo
Former president Lula da Silva reacts during a meeting in São Paulo

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