After two days drama, former Brazilian President surrenders to police
What's the story
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was once world's most powerful leader and the torchbearer of the global left. Now he will be serving 12 years in prison, after being convicted on corruption charges.
Lula surrendered to the police on Saturday ending a two-day dramatic standoff with the authorities.
Nevertheless, he has vouched to make a political comeback from prison.
Do you know?
Operation Car Wash: Understanding Lula's arrest
Lula is accused of accepting an apartment worth $1.1mn as bribe from engineering firm OAS in exchange of government contracts. This is a small part of 'Operation Car Wash,' that revealed deep corruption links in Brazil's political class. 120 people have been convicted till now.
Details
The build up before arrest: What happened in Brazil
Lula was ordered by a judge to be present at 5 PM to start the term. But he stayed at a metalworks building in Sao Paolo, missing the deadline.
He later announced his surrender and waded through a crowd of supporters who formed a human chain to prevent his exit.
Lula said, "I will comply with the order and they'll know I'm not afraid."
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Lula's life in prison to be different from fellow inmates
Lula will be kept in special quarters in prison. His room has two windows and a bathroom with hot water.
Being locked away from general prisoners means Lula will be safe. In 2017, over 100 inmates died after gang-related violence broke out in Brazil's overcrowded prisons.
However, he won't have privilege in food and family visits.
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What a prison term mean for Lula's political career
Lula has announced he will re-run for President from prison, but Brazilian laws prevent him from doing so.
Reportedly, his supporters (one-third of Brazilians) have vouched to cast blank votes.
Lula's supporters burnt tires against his imprisonment but political analysts are unsure if he'll be able to maintain his popularity and command a following from behind bars.