Brazil’s Supreme Court Finalizes Carla Zambelli Conviction, Clearing Way for Prison Term

Overview

• The Supreme Federal Court issued the certificate of trânsito em julgado on October 30, making the conviction final and allowing execution of the 5 years and 3 months sentence.
• Zambelli was convicted in August by a 9–2 vote for illegal possession of a firearm and illegal constraint with a firearm, following the opinion of relator Gilmar Mendes.
• The case stems from October 2022, when she was filmed pursuing Luan Araújo with a pistol in São Paulo on the eve of the presidential runoff.
• She remains in custody at Rebibbia prison in Rome as Italian authorities consider Brazil’s extradition request, after a favorable opinion from the Italian public prosecutor on October 22.
• The court has determined she should lose her congressional seat, with formal implementation awaiting action by the Chamber of Deputies.