Lula Urges Digital Army to Demand Media Apologies Over Apartment Case
President Lula da Silva calls for digital mobilization against media regarding past corruption allegations.
1Digital Mobilization Strategy
President Lula da Silva has officially requested his digital supporters, known as the Lula Army, to demand apologies from the Brazilian press. This group, organized via WhatsApp by deputy Andre Janones, was instrumental during his re-election campaign. Lula made this request during a live broadcast from Antalya, Turkey, while discussing climate actions.
2The Apartment Controversy
The core of the dispute involves a triplex apartment in Guaruja that was central to the Lava-Jato corruption investigation. For years, media outlets reported that the property belonged to Lula. The President spent 580 days in prison following his initial conviction, consistently maintaining his innocence and denying ownership of the luxury real estate.
3Judicial Decision Impact
A recent court ruling determined that the proceeds from the 2018 auction of the triplex must be transferred to the construction firm OAS. The court concluded the property belonged to the company, not the former President. This decision follows the 2021 Supreme Court ruling that annulled Lula's previous convictions due to judicial partiality.
4Financial Auction Details
The triplex apartment was auctioned in 2018, and after monetary adjustments, the total value reached over 2.42 million Brazilian reais, approximately 392,100 euros. The Federal District Court ruled that since the convictions were annulled and the case expired, there were no legal grounds to keep the auction funds blocked from the construction firm.
5Legal Context of Annulment
While the Supreme Court annulled the convictions, it did not issue a formal judgment on Lula's innocence regarding the merits of the case. The court focused on the conduct of judge Sergio Moro, declaring him partial. Consequently, the legal proceedings were closed due to prescription, ending the long-standing dispute over the property's ownership.
6Criticism of Media Coverage
Lula expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the press handled the allegations, arguing that corrections should not be relegated to footnotes. He emphasized that the media spent years asserting his ownership of the apartment. The President believes that the public narrative created by these reports caused significant personal and political damage to him.
7Historical Prosecution Background
In 2017, judge Sergio Moro convicted Lula of corruption and money laundering, claiming the apartment was an illicit benefit from OAS. Lula admitted to visiting the property during negotiations but maintained he never intended to purchase it. Moro, now a governor, remains a primary target of Lula's ongoing criticism regarding the investigation.
8Future Political Implications
This call for digital pressure signals a continued tension between the current administration and traditional media outlets in Brazil. By leveraging his organized digital base, Lula aims to reshape the public record regarding his past legal battles. Observers are now watching to see how media organizations will respond to this coordinated pressure.
Original article: Público — Lula Urges Digital Army to Demand Media Apologies Over Apartment Case