Brazil: Supreme Court delays debate that could see Lula released

Brazil Supreme Court delayed a debate of changing a law that could have led to release of Brazil leftist icon and former president Louiz Lula da Silva who is currently serving his 12-year jail sentencing.

The debate has been delayed for five days after right-wing party PEN filed a petition. Justice Marco Aurelio accepted the request.

The Party wanted the debate to be delayed as it has changed the lawyer and new lawyer needed time to review the case.

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The current law of the country says that anyone who has been convicted of a crime will serve their senetence after losign an initial appeal. However, if the court permits the amendment, a convict will be allowed to remain at liberty until he/she exausts all appeals at the hgiher courts.

Following the possible amendment, Lula could be released from the Curitiba jail and would be allowed to stay free while pursuing further appeals.

Convicted of corrution charges, Lula lost his first appeal in January after which the court announced sentence of 12-year jail.

The change would also apply to many others currently behind bars.

PEN filed the petition back in 2016. The hard-right party had a change of heart this week, even trying to withdraw its petition, when it became clear that if successful the petition would benefit Lula, the main leader of Brazil's left.

Supporters of changing the law say that presumption of innocence doesn't end until the appeals process also ends.

The legal argument has become a central part of the political drama shaking Brazil six months before elections.

Lula surrended himselfto prison sentence on Sunday to the authorities after defying court's order to turn himself in by Friday.

Lula has been arrested on corruption charges as he was found guilty of taking a luxury apartment as bribe from a construction company.

(With inputs from AFP)