Lula, who is charged in four other corruption cases, is the highest-profile defendant in a sprawling corruption probe known as “Operation Car Wash.” The investigation centers on construction firms that have already admitted to paying billions in kickbacks in return for lucrative contracts at state-run oil company Petrobras.
The former president and his lawyers have repeatedly said that he is innocent of all charges, and aides said after the hearing that Lula was extremely satisfied with his performance.
Lula sits atop recent polls for the 2018 presidential election, but he also scores the highest rejection rate of any candidate.
Lula has said he wants to run for president in 2018, but if convicted could not run.
The investigation has greatly expanded since it began three years ago and now encompasses several state-run companies. More than 90 prominent businessmen and politicians have been convicted, while scores of sitting federal congressmen as well as one-third of President Michel Temer’s cabinet are being probed.
On his way to the hearing, Lula emerged from a car a block away from the courthouse, where he was met by supporters chanting “Lula, warrior for the Brazilian people!”
As he made his way to the building, a stern-faced Lula grabbed a Brazilian flag and began waving it high above his head, but made no comments as he pushed through the crowd.
Thousands of Lula supporters traveled to Curitiba, mostly members of activists groups and unions, arriving in nearly 200 chartered buses from across the country.
