Carla Zambelli returns to fight in Italy and at the STF

Carla Zambelli, former federal congresswoman, returned to Brazil after almost a year in Italy. She hired lawyer Eduardo Maurício to request criminal reviews at the STF and prevent her extradition, while the Italian Judiciary prepares to judge a second request. The defense questions the legality of the convictions and her inclusion on Interpol.

Criminal reviews at the STF

Eduardo Maurício, an expert in extradition proceedings, took over Zambelli's defense on September 17. He will request criminal reviews of two STF convictions: a ten-year sentence for hacking into the National Council of Justice systems and inserting a false arrest warrant against Justice Alexandre de Moraes; and another of five years and three months for pointing a gun at a man in São Paulo. The review could lead to a modification or annulment of the sentences.

Extradition and Italian Judiciary

The Italian Judiciary is scheduled to judge the second extradition request on the 28th, which involves the conviction for armed stalking. The first request, regarding the CNJ, has already been rejected. The defense is also seeking to remove Zambelli's name from Interpol's red notice list, claiming that her inclusion was "inflated" to induce error.

Resignation of former lawyer

Lawyer Fábio Pagnozzi resigned from his mandate on September 17 following demands for political support in exchange for services. Pagnozzi claimed that Zambelli did not pay attorney fees and that the agreement included political support. Eduardo Maurício contested Pagnozzi's version, stating that the former congresswoman's defense was conducted by him and Italian lawyer Pieremilio Sammarco, and that there are no pending fee amounts.

Context of the convictions

On May 16, 2025, Zambelli was sentenced to ten years for hiring hacker Walter Delgatti Neto to hack the CNJ systems and insert a false arrest warrant against Alexandre de Moraes. Nine days later, she left Brazil, crossing borders until reaching Italy. On August 22, 2025, she received another sentence of five years and three months for armed stalking in São Paulo. The Italian Court of Cassation rejected the extradition decision regarding the CNJ and ordered a new trial for the armed stalking case.

Defense and allegations of political persecution

Zambelli's defense claims that the convictions are illegal and abusive, and that there was political persecution by Justices Alexandre de Moraes and Gilmar Mendes. Maurício highlights the participation of these justices in the STF crisis and intends to report them to international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Next steps

The next trial in Italy is scheduled for the 28th, and the criminal review at the STF could alter Zambelli's sentences. The defense continues to work to prevent extradition and remove the former congresswoman from Interpol's red notice list.

With information from Metrópoles, Valor Econômico, Gazeta do Povo.