Federal Court Judge Authorizes Lula’s Transfer from Curitiba to São Paulo

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be transferred from Curitiba to São Paulo. The order was signed by substitute judge Carolina Lebbos, of the 12th Federal Court of Curitiba, on the morning of Wednesday, August 7th.

The decision does not state where Lula will be held in São Paulo; rather, it will be up to the judicial authorities there to decide; similarly, the police must adopt the necessary security measures for the transfer, for which no date was fixed.

According to the decision, the transfer petition came from the Federal Police in Curitiba, which alleged that maintaining Lula imprisoned in Curitiba generates damage to the public interest, and that the police headquarters were not appropriate for long-term prison sentences.

Specifically, the petition for transfer alleges that the “presence of antagonistic groups” around the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba began to require permanent action by security agencies in order to avoid confrontation and ensure the safety of citizens and facilities.

The judge also took into consideration Lula’s defense counsel’s argument that, in São Paulo, Lula would be closer to his family and friends. The decision also states that “once under state tutelage, it is the duty of the State to guarantee his physical, moral and psychological integrity — as should be the case for any imprisoned citizen.”

The former president is currently serving a sentence of eight years, ten months, and twenty days in prison, after his conviction for the crimes of passive corruption and money laundering, in regard to a triplex apartment in Guarujá (SP).

Lula’s defense counsel had opposed the Federal Police petition, claiming that transfer was not appropriate before his habeas corpus appeal to the STF had been heard, and that if he were transferred, it should be to a General Staff military prison, based on his status as a former president.