Italy Approves Extradition of Former Brazilian Congresswoman Carla Zambelli Amid Legal Battle
The quick version
Italian judges have approved the extradition of former Brazilian congresswoman Carla Zambelli, who has been held in Italy for about eight months. Zambelli — who has Italian citizenship — was sentenced in Brazil to ten years in prison for her role in a scheme that inserted false information into the National Council of Justice’s systems.
Her legal team says it will appeal the decision, and the final sign-off still rests with the Italian Ministry of Justice. Zambelli has sought to stay in Italy and asked to be tried there, claiming political persecution in Brazil.
Legal twists, dates and guarantees
The Brazilian Supreme Court’s First Chamber unanimously convicted Zambelli and hacker Walter Delgatti in May 2025 for the cyberattack aimed at undermining the judiciary’s credibility. The conviction stripped her of her congressional seat and carried the lengthy prison term.
Brazilian authorities referred the extradition request in mid-June, and Italian police arrested Zambelli in Rome on July 29, 2025. The Brazilian justice system outlined several safeguards to accompany any extradition, including limits on additional prosecutions and penalties for acts committed before the request, and assurances against cruel or degrading treatment.
Past incidents and travel detours
Zambelli first gained wide attention during the 2022 election campaign for a violent street incident in São Paulo in which she chased and threatened a political opponent while armed; she later received a five-year sentence related to that episode. In the hacking case, investigators say the operation was carried out by Walter Delgatti, who received a separate prison term of eight years and three months.
Authorities say Zambelli traveled to Italy after moving through the United States following a border crossing into Argentina. She has argued that her dual citizenship should allow her to remain in Italy while the legal process plays out; meanwhile, appeals and ministry approvals will decide whether she is returned to Brazil to serve her sentences.