AI has received reports that one of the most influential trade union leaders in Brazil, the President of the São Bernardo and Diadema Metal Workers’ Union, Luis Inacio da Silva, popularly known as “Lula”, was arrested by armed policemen at his home at 6.30 on 18 April 1980. Since then he has been held in incommunicado detention. As well as being well-known for his trade union activities, Luis Inacio da Silva is also founder of the recently formed Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT – Labour Party).
