the federal deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP), on leave from her position, was arrested this Tuesday, the 29th, in Rome, Italy. The operation was carried out by the Italian police, with the support of the Brazilian Federal Police. Zambelli had been a fugitive since her conviction by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which sentenced her to 10 years in prison.
The arrest was made following international collaboration. According to Federal Police Director General Andrei Rodrigues, "international cooperation between the Federal Police and the Italian police was crucial."
Zambelli left Brazil in May, passed through the United States, and went to Italy, where she currently resides. She holds Italian citizenship, which could impact the extradition process.
Italian court to consider prison sentence
In the next 48 hours, the Italian courts will review the legality of the arrest. Three decisions are possible: keep Zambelli detained, grant house arrest, or release her. Furthermore, the judicial authority may authorize the opening of extradition proceedings.
Because she holds dual citizenship, Italy is not obliged to return her to Brazil. If it opts for extradition, the case will be submitted to the Italian Ministry of Justice, which will have the final say.
Extradition may be long
Experts point out that, although the case has gained visibility, the extradition process could take years. "Just like in Brazil, the procedure is complex and involves multiple levels," explained Professor Gustavo Sampaio of Fluminense Federal University (UFF).
The request's legality must be reviewed by the Italian Council of State. Only after this stage can the government decide whether to authorize the extradition.
Possibility of trial in Italy
Zambelli has already stated that she wishes to be tried in Italy. Italian law stipulates that if extradition is denied, the state must assume responsibility for trying her based on evidence provided by Brazil.
According to Sampaio, “if the nationality of actual exercise, of concrete experience, is not Italian, but rather Brazilian, as is the case with Zambelli, Italy can indeed authorize extradition.”
The complaint came from an Italian deputy
Carla Zambelli's address was given to the police by Italian MP Angelo Bonelli. In a post on the X network (formerly Twitter), Bonelli stated: “Carla Zambelli is in an apartment in Rome. I gave the address to the police. At this moment, the police are identifying Zambelli.”
Defense contests conviction
After her arrest, Zambelli declared that she intends to prove her innocence in Italian courts. She claimed that her conviction was based on the testimony of hacker Walter Delgatti, whom she called a "liar."
If extradition is authorized, Zambelli will return to Brazil to serve his sentence. In this case, the Chamber of Deputies may decide to permanently strip him of his parliamentary mandate.
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