Brazil's former president Lula da Silva has still not turned himself into authorities, which goes against a court-mandated deadline for him to begin serving a 12-year prison sentence on corruption charges. Lula and his supporters remain defiant - but there are talks of a possible surrender. Paulo Cabral has this report.

The Metal Workers Trade Union in the outskirts of São Paulo is the political nest of former president Lula da Silva. This is where he first rose to prominence as a union leader fighting military rule in the late 1970's. And the place where he's been surrounded by thousands of supporters since an arrest warrant was issued against him on Thursday night. Lula da Silva had until the 5 o'clock in the afternoon to turn himself in voluntarily to the Federal Police to begin serving a sentence of just over 12 years on charges of corruption - but that didn't happen. The former president didn't speak to the crowd himself but his allies made defiant speeches to rally the people in defense of Lula.

GLEISI HOFFMAN PRESIDENT OF THE WORKERS' PARTY "We are not doing this just to make a mess out of things. But they can't say we are gonna just walk like cattle, with our heads down, to the slaughterhouse."

PAULO CABRAL BRAZIL "Lula da Silva's supporters say they will stay put right here, around the Metal Workers Union, forming a barrier to protect the former president and avoid his arrest."

EDGARD BUENO DOS SANTOS PHOTOGRAPHER "Lula is not hidden. He's right here. If the police want, they can come here and arrest him. But they will have also to arrest all these people who are here to defend him."

"I am here to defend democracy, to defend the youth, to defend my country, to defend Lula."

People here say this is all a political plot to prevent him from running for president this year - as despite all the former president still leads voters polls - and has been campaigning around the country. But despite the defiant attitude here there are talks in place between Lula da Silva's representatives and the Federal Police to negotiate the terms and the logistics of a possible surrender on Saturday. Paulo Cabral, CGTN, São Paulo.