Appeals court judge overrules decision to release Brazil's former President Lula from jail

8 Jul, 2018 18:27

An appeals court judge has overruled an order to release former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from jail. The move backed a decision made earlier on Sunday by Federal Judge Sérgio Moro, who had blocked a third judge's decision to free Lula. The former president, who is widely known as 'Lula,' has been in prison since April 7, serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption and money laundering. He maintains he is innocent, claiming his conviction was politically motivated.