I agree with you that the judge was biased, but there was plenty of evidence of Lula's corruption.

Several factors impacted his release, and the first judge being partial was just one of them. The process prescribed as he had a VERY good lawyer who prolonged the process even tho it was already judged in several instances, and he is older than 70 years old, meaning he couldn't be kept incarcerated in prison.

He is not "innocent" meaning that he proved his innocence, but rather there is plenty of proof he was corrupt, but this proof cannot be legaly used anymore.

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That being said, every political party in Brazil is a criminal institution, and we will soon know of Bolsonaro's corruption as well.

Lesser of two evils, I guess... Let's hope for the best.