Brazil's ex-President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva is holed up in a union building in his hometown, outside Sao Paulo, after missing a deadline to hand himself over to the authorities.
The 72-year-old had been ordered to hand himself in to start a 12-year prison term for corruption.
His lawyers are said to be negotiating his surrender with police.
Some reports suggest he may surrender on Saturday, others that he will hold out through the weekend.
Thousands of cheering supporters gathered outside the building in Sao Bernardo do Campo where Lula is staying.
"I think that if the federal police come here now to arrest Lula, they won't have room [to get in]," Lula supporter Joao Xavier told Reuters.
Authorities have stressed that the left-wing figurehead is not being viewed as a fugitive, as everyone knows where he is.
Image copyrightREUTERS
Image caption
Lula's supporters have been protesting outside the metalworkers' union where he is staying
Brazilian Senator Gleisi Hoffmann tweeted that a Catholic Mass would be said at the metalworkers' union building early on Saturday, in memory of Lula's late wife Marisa Leticia who died last year.
Why is Lula doing this?
Lula says his conviction is politically motivated.
He claims it was designed to stop him from running for president in October's poll, which he had been favourite to win.
Minutes before the deadline, his lawyers lost a bid to keep him out of jail while he appeals against his conviction.
In his order on Thursday, federal judge Sergio Moro said Lula had to present himself before 17:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Friday at the federal police headquarters in the southern city of Curitiba.
source:www.bbc.com
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