Brazil’s Supreme Court has denied a petition to release former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who is serving a sentence for corruption.

In a three-two vote, a panel of Supreme Court judges rejected freeing da Silva while they consider a petition from his defence team demanding his release because of alleged inappropriate behaviour by the judge in the case.

Da Silva is serving his sentence in a police station in Curitibia. He has been held since April 7 2018.

Brazil Da Silva
A supporter holds a poster that says in Portuguese “Free Lula” as his lawyers asked the Supreme Court to free him (Eraldo Peres/AP)

Da Silva’s lawyers argue then-judge Sergio Moro offered guidance to prosecutors in investigations that led to da Silva’s conviction.

Mr Moro has said he did nothing improper.

Da Silva was president in 2003-2010 and was convicted of corruption over a beachfront apartment that prosecutors say he received from a construction company.