He said that Brazil's top anti-corruption judge, Sergio Moro, "lied" about him being given the apartment by a big construction firm as a kickback. "Despite his legal problems, Lula is the frontrunner in polls ahead of Brazil's October presidential election and his exit from the race would throw it wide open. Currently a hard-right former army officer, Jair Bolsonaro, is polling in second place.In his passionate, combative, hour-long speech, Lula accused the judiciary and Brazil's most powerful media conglomerate of assisting a right-wing coup with the ultimate aim of preventing him from competing. "Free Lula, free Lula!" For many, Lula epitomizes Brazil's corruption-riddled elite.

Source: Egypt Today April 07, 2018 23:15 UTC