Lula transfer row a potential ploy to save Car Wash

On Wednesday afternoon, a decision from a federal judge in Curitiba authorized the transfer of jailed former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba to a penitentiary in São Paulo.

After opposition from large parts of the Judiciary and Legislature, the Supreme Court acted quickly to suspend the decision, in what is but the latest twist in the tale of ex-president Lula, currently serving an eight-year and ten-month prison sentence for corruption and money laundering.

Were the transfer to have gone ahead, Lula would have been moved to a penitentiary in Tremembé, a town in the countryside of São Paulo state. The facility houses a number of high-profile criminals, such as notorious murderers Alexandre Nardoni and Lindemberg Alves. Lula was to have his own cell, but would mix with other inmates during meals and time in the yard.

Currently, Lula occupies a so-called “staff” room in the Federal Police headquarters, a prerogative reserved similar high-profile prisoners. He has the right to a television, a tablet, a wardrobe, and his own bathroom. The room also has a small window, which is sealed but not barred. Were...