Brazil's Court of Appeals has ordered former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva remain in prison, reversing a shocking decision by a judge of the same court to free Lula earlier on Sunday.

Judge Sergio Moro, who sent Lula to prison in April on a bribery conviction, said the court lacked the authority to release Brazil's most popular politician.

In Reversal, Brazil Court Rules to Keep Lula in Jail

Lula remains popular in Brazil despite being sentenced a year ago to 12 years in prison for corruption.

In Reversal, Brazil Court Rules to Keep Lula in Jail

Polls suggest the leftist former president would win a third term in the October elections, but Brazilian law prohibits a candidate from running for office for eight years after a criminal conviction.

In Reversal, Brazil Court Rules to Keep Lula in Jail

Da Silva's mass appeal propelled him to two terms as president between 2003 and 2011, a period of strong economic growth.