FORMER US Democrat presidential nominee Bernie Sanders has sent a letter signed by 29 US politicians to Brazil’s ambassador in Washington demanding the release from jail of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The letter denounces the “highly questionable and politicised” sentencing of Lula, saying it was based on “unproven accusations.”

The politicians said that the former president, who has been jailed for 12 years on corruption and money-laundering charges, should be released immediately.