Protesters take apartment that put Brazil ex-leader in jail

Mauricio Savarese and Andre Penner, Associated Press
Updated 3:53 pm, Monday, April 16, 2018



GUARUJA, Brazil (AP) — About 100 members of a Brazilian homeless movement protesting the jailing of former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva on Monday briefly took over the beachfront apartment at the center of the corruption case against him.

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"If this apartment indeed belongs to Lula, that means we are invited to stay, we have his permission. If it doesn't, judges have to explain why they arrested him," Boulos said in social media posts.

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Later on Monday four left-leaning political parties, including da Silva's Workers' Party, issued a statement insisting da Silva should be released.

"The hasty and unjustified incarceration of former President Lula, without a single solid piece of evidence, worsens the dangerous and growing atmosphere of political hatred and instability that took over Brazil. The decision, which lacks solid judicial pillars, is an act of political persecution that tends to put Brazil in deeper economic, social and political crisis," the statement said.

More:
https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Protesters-take-apartment-that-put-Brazil-12837417.php