Flávio Bolsonaro says Zambelli is being “politically persecuted” and asks Italy for help

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro requested, this Thursday (24), that the Italian government grant support to the federal deputy Carla Zambelli, who is in Italy after being sentenced in Brazil to 10 years in prison.

The parliamentarian was sentenced by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) for involvement in the hacking of the National Council of Justice (CNJ) systems. She has been a fugitive abroad ever since.

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The request for support was made by Flávio in an interview with the portal MetropolisThe senator stated that Zambelli is a “political victim” and that her escape was an attempt to escape a biased trial.

"I don't know if Carla will be listening to us, but if she is in Italy, I want to publicly ask the Italian authorities to open the government's doors to this political persecutor, because she went there knowing she wouldn't face a fair and impartial trial — she's already pre-convicted," he said.

According to Flávio, Zambelli decided to leave the country because she believed she would have no chance of defending herself. "In her mind, she's going to the slaughterhouse," said the senator, highlighting that the congresswoman has Italian citizenship.

The parliamentarian mentioned Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, asking them to "support not only Carla, but any other politically persecuted Brazilians who are in Italy."

Flávio also stated that he is making the appeal "as an Italian citizen," due to his family background. He noted that his family is descended from Italian immigrants from Anguillara Veneta and Lucca, in Tuscany.

In the interview, the senator stated that Zambelli has not been in contact with allies since leaving Brazil. "No one has spoken to her [Zambelli]. I tell her to stay strong, because at some point, we will be able to return to normality here in Brazil," he stated.

Flávio Bolsonaro also commented on the investigations involving former President Jair Bolsonaro, claiming the case was already underway before the congresswoman fled. He believes the accusations are "fabricated."

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The Italian Supreme Court has confirmed that a consular blockade is legal grounds for legal action.

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• Is the process stalled or poorly managed?
• Maternal lineage?
• Incomplete documentation?

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"I think it's a fabricated case. The evidence is being fabricated to convict Bolsonaro independently of Carla Zambelli," he concluded.