BRAZILIA, Brazil.- The title of Honorary Citizen of Paris awarded to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been serving political prison since April last year, illuminates the kingdom of darkness in Brazil, former Chancellor Celso Amorim said.

The mayoralty of the French capital gave the former worker’s leader the high distinction for its commitment to reducing social and economic inequalities in Brazil.

The former head of the Brazilian diplomacy thus alluded to the situation in his country, where according to him, Lula has been a political prisoner for more than a year after an unproven conviction and an impediment to his participation in the elections.

Amorim added that because of this, far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro, who defends dictatorships and torture, finally came to power; and that causes embarrassment to the country abroad.