Sao Paulo, Brazil (CNN) Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emerged from prison on Friday after a year and a half behind bars, offering his "eternal gratitude" to throngs of supporters camped outside and vowing he hasn't been defeated yet.

The two-time president known simply as Lula was greeted by family, friends and party faithful who were waving red flags and "Free Lula" signs outside the jail in the southern city of Curitiba.

"I leave here without hate. At the age of 74 my heart only has room for love," Lula said from an impromptu stage. But he added that as a migrant from the poor northeast "there isn't anything that can beat me."

Lula started serving a 12-year-prison sentence for corruption and money laundering in April 2018. His early release was made possible by a Supreme Court decision on Thursday night that determined defendants can remain free until they have exhausted all appeals. That ruling reversed a previous decision that had helped put dozens of powerful politicians and business leaders behind bars.

The former president was greeted by crowds of supporters when he left the prison.

Lula's release is expected to heighten tensions in an already polarized Brazil.

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