Lula motivates yet another legal clash in Brazil

Wrapped up in several criminal proceedings, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was convicted last year of corruption and money laundering, for allegedly accepting a beachfront triplex apartment from a construction firm. In January, his conviction was upheld by an appellate court, leading to his incarceration on April 7. At every step of the way, Lula’s supporters have called foul play, mentioning questionable points in his case – while his detractors defended the verdict. Now, Lula is at the center of yet another legal clash.

On Sunday (July 8), appellate judge Rogério Favreto issued a release order for Lula, stating that there were no legal grounds to keep him in jail. The habeas corpus had been requested by three Workers’ Party congressmen. The maneuver was carefully planned, with the petition being filed on the weekend, precisely when Mr. Favreto was the only judge on call in the appellate court. Mr. Favreto had not taken part in any phase of Lula’s case and, what’s more, he was a...