the federal deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP) said on Tuesday, the 4th, that she may request political asylum in the United States. The parliamentarian has been in the country since May and is considering no longer following the plan to move to Italy.
“I might stay here in the US,” Zambelli told CNN. She is under investigation and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegal possession of a weapon and participation in a hacking attack on the Brazilian judicial system.
The change of plans occurs after the realization that the Italian citizenship would not guarantee protection against possible extradition. Italy has already extradited citizens with dual nationality to Brazil, such as banker Salvatore Cacciola in 2008 and former Banco do Brasil director Henrique Pizzolato in 2015.
Zambelli intended to use his dual citizenship to avoid serving his sentence in Brazil. However, the bilateral extradition treaty between Brazil and Italy, in force since 1989, does not prevent Italian-Brazilian citizens from being sent back to Brazil.
The situation worsened on Wednesday, the 5th, when Italian parliamentarians began to demand a position from the local government. Angelo Bonelli, leader of the Green Europe Movement, asked the ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs and the Interior for clarification.
Given the pressure in Italy, the United States appears to be the most viable option for the congresswoman. Experts point out that the extradition treaty between Brazil and the United States is more restrictive, accepting requests only for specific crimes and with detailed judicial review.
As the crimes for which Zambelli was convicted – illegal possession of weapons and hacking – are not covered by the treaty, she believes she has a better chance of avoiding extradition.
Furthermore, her ideological affinity with former President Donald Trump and her closeness to Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro strengthen the congresswoman's intention to remain in the United States.
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