Brazil: Former President Lula arrested in Petrobas corruption probe *ARCHIVE*

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was arrested by police after they raided his Sao Paulo home, Friday. His detention comes as the long-running, large-scale probe into corruption involving the state-owned Petrobas oil company was ramped up. The headquarters of Lula's institute, also situated in Sao Paulo, was raided by police as well.
Police officials are indicating they have obtained proof that the 70-year-old received illegal monetary benefits. He was scheduled to be quizzed by state investigators last week but his legal counsel cancelled the meeting.
The inquiry, known as Operation Car Wash, has already seen tens of former and current politicians and executives arrested or placed under investigation amid allegations of overcharging Petrobas contracts and using the financial gains to fund election campaigns and pay bribes.
Official figures report that police are in possession of at least 33 search warrants and 11 arrest warrants. Raids are being carried out by some 200 law enforcement personnel in Rio de Janeiro and Bahia as well as Sao Paulo, according to a police statement.
Demonstrators have gathered outside Lula's home to show support for their former leader, his wife, and sons, who have also been targeted, according to local reports.
Archive footage shows Lula marching with pro- Petrobas demonstrators at a rally in the Brazilian capital on September 15, 2014. Footage also shows the ex-president of Brazil meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev, president at the time, in Moscow on May 14, 2010. On the same day at the same location, Lula met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, then prime minister.
Footage also shows a meeting between Lula and Medvedev in Ekaterinburg on June 16, 2009 alongside Chinese President Hu Jintao and Indian President Manmohan Singh.