On March 20th, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice will decide whether Robinho, the former Brazilian football player convicted of rape in Italy, will serve his nine-year sentence in Brazil. This court, comprising the 15 most senior ministers, faces a significant decision given Brazil’s policy against extraditing its citizens.
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Italy, having failed to secure Robinho’s extradition, requested that he serve his sentence in Brazil. The Federal Public Ministry in Brazil supported this request in November 2023, signaling a willingness to enforce the Italian court’s verdict domestically.
Reflecting broader trends, this case illustrates Brazil’s legal system aligning with international efforts to combat crime and enhance justice administration. Jurisprudence now favors cooperation over traditional notions of sovereignty and jurisdiction, aiming for a more effective global legal framework.
The case against Robinho and five others centers on the 2013 gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman in Milan, leading to Robinho’s conviction in 2017, upheld by the Milan Court of Appeal in 2020. Despite his appeal, Italy’s Court of Cassation, the highest court, denied his final appeal in January 2022, solidifying his sentence without further recourse.
As the date approaches, the decision of Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice will not only affect Robinho’s fate but also test Brazil’s commitment to international legal standards and cooperation.
