Ex-president given temporary leave to see body of brother at military base in Curitiba but Lula did not attend burial

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Brazil’s supreme court chief justice on Wednesday granted imprisoned former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva temporary leave to visit the body of his recently deceased brother.

But the decision came too late for Lula to attend the funeral as his brother was already about to be buried.

The former president chose to stay at the prison, a federal installation in the southern city of Curitiba, an elected congressman and fellow member of Lula’s Workers party said on Twitter.

Lula’s brother, Genival Inácio da Silva, died on Tuesday from cancer. Lula’s defense filed a court request hours later asking permission for him to take part in the funeral.

Lower courts rejected the request because of security worries since his presence at the funeral could attract a large crowd.

Supreme court chief justice Dias Toffoli decided to allow Lula to see the body of his deceased brother and some family members, but ruled that the body should be transported to a military base, with restricted access to the public.

Lula is serving a 12-year sentence for corruption.