Brazil's ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is in . He was sentenced to 12 years behind for money laundering and . It is a big for the popular ex-leader. Mr da Silva still has support. Hours before giving himself to the police, his were trying to stop him from going. Hundreds of supporters from a workers' union blocked the to stop Mr da Silva's car from leaving. It was only with the of his bodyguards that he could get past the . This meant clashes with police were avoided.
Mr da Silva is known as Lula. He was born in but worked his way up workers' to become leader of South America's largest country. He was elected President in 2002 and served from 2003 to 2010. During his two , he started welfare programs and improved the . This helped tens of millions out of poverty, which increased his . Former U.S. President Barack Obama called him, "the most politician on Earth". When he left , his approval rating was an 83 per cent. He hopes to run for president again one .
