Brazil's former president Lula released from prison after 580 days

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Mr Lula leaves prison Credit: AFP

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil, last night walked free from jail after more than a year behind bars.

Mr Lula, 74, pumped his fist in the air and was mobbed by a swarm of cheering supporters waving red flags

His release came after a Supreme Court ruling paved the way for thousands of convicts to be freed while awaiting appeals.

Mr Lula has been in jail since April 2018, serving a nine year sentence for corruption after being found guilty of taking bribes from engineering firms in return for public contracts.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside a police building in Curitiba in anticipation of his release.

After emerging from a police building in Curitiba, he vowed to "continue fighting" for ordinary Brazilians, and to "show the lying side of the federal police."

Earlier, he had posted "Lula Free" on social media, along with a video of himself working out and lifting weights in a gym.

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Mr Lula addresses supporters Credit: Reuters

The former leader of the Workers' Party remains a popular figure on the left, but it was unclear what political role he would seek.

Political analysts said he could rally the opposition against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. There were calls for demonstrations from his supporters.

Mr Lula, who was president from 2003 to 2010, had been favourite to win the 2018 election, but his conviction prohibited him from running.

He has denied all charges against him, arguing they were politically motivated to keep him out of the election. He still faces other corruption trials.

Cristiano Zanin, his lawyer, said he was "very serene" and the Supreme Court ruling had given him "hope that there could be justice."

Roberto Baggio, coordinator of the Free Lula camp outside the jail, said the former president had been "kidnapped for 580 days" but would now "walk among the people."

The politically controversial Supreme Court ruling is expected to free scores of high-profile people imprisoned during investigations into public corruption.

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