Brazil seeks extradition of former deputy Carla Zambelli from Italy

Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office (AGU) has filed a new request with Italy’s Court of Cassation asking that former federal deputy Carla Zambelli be extradited to Brazil. The submission cites the Brazil‑Italy extradition treaty and applicable international law. Zambelli, who holds dual Brazilian‑Italian citizenship, was convicted in Brazil for illegal possession of a firearm and illegal coercion after an incident in which she pursued a journalist during the 2022 presidential runoff, receiving a sentence of five years and three months. She was also sentenced to ten years for invading the computer system of the National Council of Justice and inserting false data about a Supreme Court justice. She fled to Italy before serving the sentences and was released after a prior extradition request was denied. The new request follows arguments from Brazilian officials, including Minister Alexandre de Moraes and Justice Gilmar Mendes, that the Italian courts previously erred. Zambelli’s Italian lawyer contends that the Italian court should reject the request on grounds of violations of fundamental guarantees and treaty obligations. If the Court of Cassation refuses, Zambelli plans to remain in Italy with her husband.