Federal Congresswoman Carla Zambelli was arrested by Italian police on the afternoon of this Tuesday (29) in Rome. The information was confirmed by Federal Police sources.
The congresswoman had fled Brazil shortly after being sentenced by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in May this year to 10 years in prison for hacking into the electronic systems of the National Justice Council (CNJ). Since then, she had been a fugitive from Brazilian justice and on Interpol’s wanted list.
In a statement, the Federal Police states that “the arrestee was wanted for crimes committed in Brazil and will be subjected to the extradition process, in accordance with the procedures provided for in Italian legislation and the international agreements to which Brazil is a signatory”.
Italian Deputy Angelo Bonelli said on his X account that he reported to the Italian police an address in Rome where Zambelli was staying.
“Carla Zambelli is in an apartment in Rome. I gave the address to the police, and the police are already identifying Zambelli”, Bonelli posted on X.
In June, the deputy had requested urgency from the Italian government in Zambelli’s extradition. At the time, he argued that Italian citizenship cannot be used to escape a conviction.
Zambelli was sentenced to 10 years in prison for hacking into the electronic systems of the National Justice Council (CNJ), an incident that occurred in 2023. According to investigations, the hack was carried out by hacker Walter Delgatti, who confirmed he did the work on behalf of the congresswoman. Two weeks after being sentenced, the congresswoman left Brazil to avoid serving her sentence.
Other side
In a video posted online, the congresswoman’s defense lawyer, Fabio Pagnozzi, states that she decided to turn herself in to the Italian authorities to administratively cooperate with the requests from the authorities. According to him, Zambelli was never a fugitive in Italy but was waiting for an official position to present herself.
In the same video, Zambelli says she would present herself to the Italian authorities and that she was sure of this decision.
The PL congresswoman also said she will not return to Brazil to serve the sentence imposed by the STF conviction.
“If I have to serve any sentence, it will be here in Italy, which is a fair and democratic country. I’m sure that, after analyzing all the processes from beginning to end, they will realize that I am innocent.”
Firearms charge
Carla Zambelli is also responding to a criminal case at the STF. In August 2023, Zambelli became a defendant in the Supreme Court for the incident in which she drew a firearm and chased journalist Luan Araújo, on the eve of the second round of the 2022 elections.
The chase began after Zambelli and Luan exchanged provocations during a political event in the Jardins neighborhood in São Paulo.
To date, the Supreme Court has recorded a score of 6 votes to 0 to convict the congresswoman to 5 years and 3 months in prison in a semi-open regime. However, a request for review by Minister Nunes Marques delayed the conclusion of the judgment.
Source: Agência Brasil