Do you know who Carla Zambelli is?

Brazilian Politician Carla Zambelli's Asylum Bid in Italy: A Deep Dive into Accusations, Flight, and International Repercussions

Introduction:

Brazilian Federal Congresswoman Carla Zambelli (PL-SP), a prominent figure of the Brazilian right and a staunch ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has recently become the protagonist of a saga that has rekindled fervent debates surrounding parliamentary immunity, freedom of speech, and the role of Brazil's judicial system. Her departure from Brazil for Italy, followed by an announced potential political asylum request, comes amidst escalating judicial setbacks, culminating in a Supreme Federal Court (STF) conviction that places her directly at odds with the country's highest judicial authority. This detailed analysis delves into the accusations, her dramatic exit, and the complex international legal implications.

Understanding Carla Zambelli: A Key Figure in Brazilian Conservative Politics

Carla Zambelli Salgado de Oliveira, born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, in 1980, rose to prominence in the Brazilian political landscape as a leading voice of the "Nas Ruas" movement. This group gained significant notoriety during the widespread protests advocating for the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff. Zambelli's assertive activism and strong alignment with conservative and far-right agendas quickly established her as a vocal opposition figure. In 2018, she secured a seat as a federal congresswoman for the PSL party, and in 2022, she was re-elected with a substantial vote count, solidifying her position as one of the primary proponents of Bolsonarism within the National Congress. However, her political career has been consistently marked by numerous controversies and ongoing legal proceedings.

Core Accusations: CNJ Cybercrime and Illegal Gun Possession

Zambelli's decision to leave Brazil and seek refuge abroad is directly linked to two of the most severe accusations against her:

1. Invasion of the National Council of Justice (CNJ) Systems: In 2023, Carla Zambelli was accused of orchestrating the invasion of the National Council of Justice (CNJ) and the Federal District and Territories Court of Justice (TJDFT) systems, carried out by hacker Walter Delgatti Neto. Investigations revealed that the primary objective of this cyber intrusion was to insert false documents, including a fraudulent arrest warrant against STF Justice Alexandre de Moraes. This action was reportedly intended to undermine the credibility of the Brazilian Judiciary. The case garnered widespread media attention and led to Zambelli's conviction by the Supreme Federal Court (STF). In June 2025, the STF's First Panel unanimously upheld Zambelli's conviction, sentencing her to 10 years in a closed prison regime for the crimes of computer intrusion and ideological falsehood. The sentence also mandates the forfeiture of her parliamentary mandate upon the final judgment (trânsito em julgado) and a joint payment of R$ 2 million (approximately USD 370,000) in collective material and moral damages, alongside Delgatti.

2. Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Coercion: On the eve of the second round of Brazil's 2022 general elections, Zambelli was involved in a highly publicized incident in São Paulo, where she was filmed pursuing a man with a handgun. This episode led to the suspension of her gun license and initiated legal proceedings against her for illegal firearm possession and unlawful coercion. More recently, in March 2025, the STF established a majority to convict her in this case as well, with a proposed sentence of approximately 5 years and 3 months in prison, in addition to the definitive revocation of her gun carry permit.

The "Escape" Begins: Where Did She Go?

Carla Zambelli left Brazil in early June 2025, shortly after her STF conviction in the CNJ cybercrime case was unanimously upheld by the Court's First Panel. While her lawyers initially stated she would seek refuge in Italy, where she holds citizenship, the most recent information (as of June 7, 2025) suggests she may have altered her plans, reportedly considering remaining in the United States and applying for political asylum with the Donald Trump administration.

The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) is actively investigating her exit route, with suspicions that she might have left Brazil via Argentina and subsequently flown to Atlanta, USA, using her Italian passport. Her inclusion on Interpol's Red Notice list, at the request of Brazilian authorities, further complicates her situation. This international alert notifies global police forces of her status as a wanted person, hindering her movement and severely impacting any potential asylum bid.

Why the Flight and Asylum Request? Understanding the Motives

Zambelli's decision to leave the country and seek asylum is a clear attempt to evade the enforcement of the sentences imposed by the Brazilian Judiciary. By leaving the "jurisdiction of the crime" (Brazil), she aims to protect herself from the execution of her convictions and any future arrest warrants.

Her political asylum request, whether in Italy or the United States, is based on the claim of political persecution. Zambelli has consistently asserted that she is the target of an "authoritarian escalation" and persecution by the Brazilian Judiciary, specifically implicating Justice Alexandre de Moraes. She maintains that her arrest would be "unconstitutional" and that the underlying objective is to silence her due to her political activism. By seeking asylum, she intends for a foreign country to acknowledge this alleged persecution and grant her protection, thereby preventing her extradition to Brazil. This strategy is a common tactic among politicians facing legal challenges who claim their cases are politically motivated.

Current Accusations and Potential Consequences for Zambelli

Carla Zambelli's current situation is complex and subject to rapid developments, carrying severe potential consequences:

• 10-Year Prison Sentence: The conviction in the CNJ case is the most significant, with the 10-year closed-regime sentence being unanimously upheld by the STF. Its impending final judgment (trânsito em julgado) means virtually no further appeals are possible on the merits of the case, only for clarification of technicalities, which have already been rejected. The enforcement of this sentence could be immediate upon the formal certification of the final judgment. This marks a critical moment in the Brazilian legal system, as it underscores the judiciary's stance on cybercrime and political accountability.

• Forfeiture of Parliamentary Mandate: A conviction to a closed prison regime for a common crime, coupled with exceeding the permissible number of absences for a parliamentarian, automatically leads to the forfeiture of her congressional mandate. This declaration is expected from the Chamber of Deputies' Steering Committee once the final judgment is certified. Such a development would significantly impact the political landscape in Brazil, potentially shifting dynamics within the conservative bloc.

• Preventive Arrest Warrant and Interpol Red Notice: Given her departure from Brazil, the Attorney General's Office (PGR) requested Zambelli's preventive arrest, which the STF granted. Consequently, her name was added to Interpol's Red Notice list, making her an internationally wanted person. This action highlights the international implications of domestic legal battles and limits her ability to move freely across borders.

• Asset Freezes and Social Media Blocks: Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered the blocking of Zambelli's passport, any funds due to her from the Chamber of Deputies, and the blocking of her social media accounts within Brazil. These measures aim to restrict her financial resources and her capacity to disseminate information from abroad, signaling a firm judicial response to her actions and flight.

• Challenges to Asylum and Extradition: Zambelli's Italian citizenship doesn't make her immune to legal action in Italy. While the Italian Constitution generally prohibits the extradition of Italian citizens to serve prison sentences abroad, legal precedents and interpretations could potentially allow for the sentence to be enforced in Italy if the Italian government recognizes the Brazilian conviction. If she seeks asylum in the U.S., the process is highly complex, requiring proof of genuine political persecution, a claim that can be severely hampered by her Interpol Red Notice and the nature of the charges against her (often not considered "political" crimes by other nations). Legal experts suggest that crimes like computer intrusion and illegal gun possession are not typically covered by standard extradition treaties with Italy, which could complicate the process, but the possibility of the sentence being served in her country of citizenship remains a viable legal pathway. This situation spotlights the intricate web of international law and extradition agreements.

• Other Ongoing Legal Cases: Beyond these convictions, Zambelli still faces other significant legal proceedings, including those related to the dissemination of fake news and her alleged involvement in anti-democratic acts in Brazil. These ongoing cases further underscore the depth of her legal challenges and the Brazilian Judiciary's comprehensive approach to combating such issues.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Brazilian Democracy and Justice

Carla Zambelli's case represents a pivotal moment in how the Brazilian Judiciary addresses political figures involved in conduct deemed detrimental to democratic principles. Her flight to seek asylum, amidst severe legal consequences, encapsulates the ongoing struggle between parliamentary privilege, freedom of expression, and the imperative to uphold the rule of law. This saga will undoubtedly continue to fuel heated debates on the boundaries of political activism and the enforcement of justice in Latin America's largest democracy. It's a key example of the Brazilian political climate navigating the challenges posed by the digital age and the fight against political disinformation.

Source:

• G1 (globo.com)

• Folha de S.Paulo (https://www.google.com/search?q=folha.uol.com.br)

• O Estado de S. Paulo (estadao.com.br)

• UOL Notícias (https://www.google.com/search?q=noticias.uol.com.br)

• CNN Brasil (cnnbrasil.com.br)

• Poder360 (poder360.com.br)

• International News Outlets (for broader context and reception):

  • Reuters (reuters.com)

  • Associated Press (apnews.com)

  • The New York Times (nytimes.com)

  • BBC News (bbc.com/news)

  • The Guardian (theguardian.com)

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