The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Postpones Trial and Forbids Lula's Arrest until April 4th

03/23/2018 - 10h51

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) postponed the trial regarding an habeas corpus request filed by the defense of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to April 4th, and granted the former president an injunction which forbids his arrest until such date.

The session will only be resumed in April, due to the holiday of Holy Week and the fact that Justices of the STF will not work from Wednesday (28) to Sunday (1).

Lula's last appeals related to the triplex apartment case will be tried by the Regional Federal Court of the 4th Region, in Porto Alegre, next Monday (26). If the appeals are rejected, the former president can be arrested.

	Raul Spinassé/Ag. A Tarde/Folhapress
	Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

The current understanding of the STF is that those found guilty by the appellate court can start to serve their sentence. On thursday (22), justices only discussed a possible trial regarding Lula's habeas corpus. The decision was approved with 7 votes in favor and 4 against.

When the session was about to be adjourned, Lula's defense requested an injunction to prevent his arrest until the trial is resumed.

Rosa Weber, Dias Toffoli, Marco Aurélio, Ricardo Lewandowski, Gilmar Mendes and Celso de Mello voted in favor of the injunction, stating that Lula should not be affected by the court's delay.

Translated by ANA BEATRIZ DEMARIA

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