The judge added that a special area has been readied at the federal police headquarters for Lula to begin his sentence. “The ex-president will remain apart from other inmates, and run no risk of moral or physical harm,” Moro said.
Parana is where Moro has been leading Brazil’s wide-reaching investigation into corruption involving state oil giant Petrobras. The investigation, codenamed Operation Car Wash, has led to numerous high-level arrests.
Last year, Moro convicted Lula for accepting perks from a major construction firm that won lucrative government contracts from Petrobras, including the use of a luxury beachside apartment.
Lula’s lawyer Cristiano Zanin protested the deadline, saying his client can legally file more appeals to the Federal Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Justice before April 10.
Lula, who has been leading the presidential polls despite his legal battles, denies any wrongdoing, saying he is being persecuted to prevent him from running for re-election.
His original nine-year-plus sentence was extended to 12 years by an appeals court in January.
