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Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is rallying support as part of a campaign tour ahead of his likely arrest in coming weeks.

On Sunday, da Silva visited a farm and spoke to a few hundred supporters in southern Brazil.

But it seems all but certain that he will be jailed soon. As early as Monday, judges could order him to begin serving his sentence on a corruption conviction. Even if they do, he will remain free at least until early April while the Supreme Court considers a habeas corpus petition.

Da Silva is leading polls for October's presidential election, but he is also likely to be barred from running.

He has denied the charges and contends they are meant to keep him from the presidency.