Third request by Lula's defense denied

The Superior Court of Justice, one of Brazil's top courts, denied the third request filed by former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's counsel to interrupt the criminal case against the him. Lula's hearing began as scheduled, at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Wednesday (May 10).

Brazil's former president is being targeted in a case initiated as part of Operation Car Wash.

According to the defense, the case could not be tried by Federal Judge Sergio Moro, as the facts under consideration supposedly took place outside his jurisdiction, the city of Curitiba, Paraná.

Lula arrived slightly before 2 p.m. at the Federal Court of Justice building, in Curitiba, for the first hearing session with the judge.

Due do the demonstration scheduled to be stage in the city—both for and against Lula—a 150 meter long blockage was set up. Only local residents, licensed press agents and salespeople are allowed through.

Two other petitions for the postponement of Lula's hearing had been denied by the court. This is the first time Lula stands face to face with the first instance judge spearheading Operation Car Wash.

The former president is charged with pocketing bribes from construction company OAS in the form of renovation works at a beachside triplex apartment in Guarujá, and also a ranch in Atibaia, both in São Paulo state.

*Special correspondent Danyele Soares contributed to this article from Curitiba

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira