Sentenced to nine years in prison for gang rape in Italy, Robinho accused the Italian justice system of racism in his trial. Tomorrow (19), the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) will judge the Italian government's request for the former player to serve his sentence in Brazil.
He stated that he has enough evidence, ignored, even after trial in three instances in Italian justice.
“I only played four years in Italy and I’m tired of seeing stories of racism. Unfortunately, this continues to this day. It was in 2013, we are in 2024. The same ones who do nothing with this type of act (racism) are the same ones who condemned me”, said Robinho, in an interview with Record TV.
Robinho admits to having had a brief relationship with the victim on the night of the crime. The Brazilian, however, claims that it was consensual and reiterates that the tests carried out in the investigation did not detect his DNA — he would have used a condom.
“We had a superficial and quick relationship. We exchanged kisses, other than that, I left for home. At no point did she push, say 'stop'. She had other people there. When I saw that she wanted to continue with other boys, I left for home”, said the former Santos player.
Audios of the process
In the interview with Record TV, Robinho constantly stated that the victim was not drunk on the night of the crime and reiterated that the examinations in the case confirm the fact. However, in audio recordings made by the Italian police investigation, the Brazilian reportedly said that “the woman was completely drunk".
The audios also indicated that Robinho laughed when he learned that he would be accused of rape. THE Record TV, the player claimed that the conversations recorded in the process were made in a context of intense pressure and admits that it was controversial.
The trial at the STJ
This coming Wednesday, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) will judge the Italian government's request for the former player to serve his sentence in Brazilian territory. Robinho expects a different verdict. The decision may be appealed.
“I hope that here in Brazil, I can have a voice that I didn’t have abroad. You want to show your evidence, and I don't understand why, evidence that is so relevant for anyone, for them (Italian Justice) was not. All those who judge, may see my evidence. I'm not that monster. I wasn’t one person for 10 years and I became someone else,” he said.
There are three possibilities for the case in the STJ Judgment:
- That the STJ agrees with the Italian request;
- That the request be rejected;
- Let the process start from scratch in Brazil.
At the request of the Italian justice system, the session will be broadcast live on YouTube. It is scheduled for 14pm (Brasília time).
