Despite convictions, Lula's freedom could come in April

Luiz Inazio Lula Da Silva Judge Gabriela Hardt, who replaces Sergio Moro in the Lava Jato case, again sentenced the journalist to prison after being transferred to Jair Bolsonaro's Justice Ministry, who was the second to condemn the case. PT candidate.

Hardt blamed Lula for the crimes of corruption and money laundering and sentenced him to 12 years and 11 months, in addition to the one dictated by Moro – and the judges of the Federal Regional Court No. 4– and for which he is now detained.

But the detention status of the former Brazilian president could change in the coming months: In April, the judges of the Supreme Court will vote on the continuity of the prison for those convicted in the second instance and the possibility of appeal..

The case of the department of Guaruja, for which he has been detained since April, and the case of today are lawsuits. Even Hardt's conviction is in the first instance, so if the leader had been free and appealed, they would not have arrested him.

In December of last year, the judge TSF Marco Aurelio, issued a resolution to release all inmates on appealable second-instance sentences. This generated a certain illusion around the release of Lula, who quickly faded with the rejection of the President of the Court, Antonio Dias Tóffoli.

This discussion will be repeated in April, even if there are not many hopes: a year ago, the same judges, by 6 votes against 5, dictated the final fate of Lula and Brazil, preparing the arrival of Bolsonaro to power.

It is the current government, through Moro, who wants to institutionalize by law that all those convicted in the second instance begin to serve their sentence immediately: a Lula law?