Carla Zambelli, a Brazilian lawmaker of Italian descent sought by Interpol to serve a ten-year prison sentence in Brazil, has been arrested in Rome. Zambelli, a member of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s party who holds Italian citizenship, was convicted in Brazil for hacking the computer system of the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
The deputy fled Brazil on May 25th, crossing into Argentina at Foz do Iguaçu with her husband. After a brief stay in the United States, she announced her arrival in Italy. Initially intending to run for elective office in Italy, Zambelli later abandoned this plan, according to her lawyer’s statement to CNN. A subsequent extradition request, signed by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on June 11th, was transmitted to the Italian Ministry of Justice via the Brazilian embassy in Rome.
Two weeks ago, during a parliamentary question time, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that “investigative activities aimed at locating the lady had been initiated, in concert with the Rome judicial authority, which was immediately informed.” He added, “During the investigation, reports about the former parliamentarian’s presence in specific locations or contexts were punctually verified, always with negative results.” Piantedosi also reiterated that during a border control check at Fiumicino airport on June 5th, Zambelli “was found to have no police record on national territory and no adverse evidence found in the records,” meaning “the police authorities could in no way proceed with her detention.”
Prior to her arrest, Italian Deputy Angelo Bonelli posted on social media that he had provided Zambelli’s address to the police, writing: “Zambelli is in an apartment in Rome. I provided the address to the police.”
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