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Brazil's Federal Supreme Court has postponed its debate session on the imprisonment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for five days, it has been confirmed.
The National Ecological Party (PEN) had petitioned the court to delay the session, arguing that the lawyers in the case had recently changed and that they needed time to study the process.
"Considering the news of the change in representation and the formalization of a correct and determined request, the requested is determined to be an adequate and reasonable measure," Supreme Court Judge Marco Aurelio said.
This Wednesday, the court could declare the detention of the former Brazilian president unconstitutional.
On Saturday, Lula was finally detained after a court denied his habeas corpus petition to remain free while he exhausts his appeal options. The move was met with protest by those who say the incarceration of Brazil's most popular presidential candidate is illegal and a blow to democracy.
In an exclusive interview, Lula's lawyer told teleSUR that his client is a "political prisoner" who has committed no crime: "No one can be convicted without proof," said Cristiano Zannim.
"Lula never was the owner of the apartment for which he was sentenced," nor were there any "specific acts or demonstration that he received undue advantages in hiring."
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