Thousands protest against court’s ruling on Lula prison

SAO PAULO: Thousands of Brazilians demonstrated in favor of prison for former president and election frontrunner Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the eve of a Supreme Court ruling Wednesday on whether he should start serving a 12 year sentence for corruption.

Up to 20,000 people turned out after work in the country´s biggest city, Sao Paulo, as well as a few thousand in Rio de Janeiro and smaller numbers in other cities. The head of the army, General Eduardo Villas Boas, tweeted that the military shared Brazilians´ "desire for the repudiation of impunity."

The comment, likely to be seen as backing prison for Lula, was a rare foray into politics by a general in a country that was under military dictatorship for two decades until 1985. Villas Boas also asked "who is really thinking about the good of the country and future generations and who is only worried about personal interests?"

The protesters demanded that Lula begin his sentence and be barred from the October 7 presidential election in which the veteran leftist is leading in the polls, despite his legal problems. "We want Brazil to be freed of this shameful corruption. Imprison Lula and let Brazil turn the page," said Mara Massa, 67, at the protest in Sao Paulo, where the crowd chanted "No more Lula!" Smaller demonstrations in favor of the Workers´ Party founder also took place around the country.