TENS of thousands of supporters of former president Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva took to the streets across Brazil last night after the Supreme Court voted narrowly to send him to jail.

The court voted 6-5 to end his release on bail while he appeals against a 12-year sentence for corruption, effectively bringing an end to his re-election campaign.

Supreme Court president Carmen Lucia broke what had been a tied vote, rejecting Lula’s plea to remain free until he has exhausted all possible appeals.