Defense attorney, former STF president, Sepúlveda Pertence, argued Lula’s case before the five-panel STJ Court, photo by José Cruz/Agência Brasil.

A Brazilian appeals court on Sunday delivered a surprise ruling ordering the release of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 72, who has been jailed since April for corruption and could now be released within hours.

Leftist firebrand Lula -- who was convicted of accepting a seaside apartment as a bribe from Brazilian construction company OAS -- has been battling for his freedom in the hopes of launching another presidential bid in elections in October.