Lula's Passport Gets Revoked On Eve of African FAO Trip

Just one day before an extended trip to Ethiopia, Brazil’s ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is forced to cancel his plans after court authorities revoked his passport, the Justice Ministry confirmed Thursday.

RELATED: 

Lula: Victim of Judicial Prosecution: Cuban Foreign Ministry

The decision was authorized by Federal judge Ricardo Leite after a failed court appeal earlier this week.

Lula’s lawyer Cristiano Zanin said the former president’s passport would be handed in on Friday, but called the decision “shocking” and an unnecessary restriction on his freedom of movement.

"Former President Lula was guaranteed by the Federal Constitution the right to come and go, which can only be restricted in the event of a final and unappealable conviction, which does not exist and we do not believe it will exist because he did not commit any crime," a statement from the defense said.

According to his defense attorney, Judge Ricardo Leite was fully aware of the former president’s plans to travel to Ethiopia Friday and never once opposed the motion.

Earlier Thursday, the Lula announced his resolve to continue on and pursue his race for presidential candidacy as a representative of the Workers Party. He also told the convention of supporters of his upcoming trip and briefly touched on possibly seeking asylum abroad.

RELATED: 
Mujica Slams Brazil's Justice System After Ruling Against Lula

"As I go to Africa, my opponents are so ignorant that, if I went to France, they would say: 'Lula is going to be exiled in France'. If I went to Italy: 'Lula is going to Italy to be exiled.' But I'm going to Africa, and the prejudice is so great that they do not admit that someone can go to Ethiopia to be exiled," the former president said.

“He won’t travel now,” Lula spokesman Jose Chrispiniano said.

Lula’s African tour was centered around a meeting with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to discuss strategies to eradicate famine from the continent before 2025.

Justice Minister Torquoato Jardim, who was informed of the decision by the federal police chief, recommended that Lula be informed of the decision to avoid any problems, the ministry said.

Lula could be arrested as soon as judges make a decision on a final appeal in his case, which is expected to occur in at most two to three months.