Overview

• The Corte di Cassazione on October 8 rejected a defense appeal for house arrest, keeping the Brazilian deputy detained in Rome’s Rebibbia prison during the extradition process.
• At the hearing, the Italian public prosecutor argued against releasing Zambelli, reinforcing earlier findings by the Rome Court of Appeal that she poses a flight risk.
• Zambelli announced a hunger strike in a letter to Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, claiming political persecution and alleging pressure from Brazil, assertions reported by her defense.
• A court-appointed medical expert concluded her psychiatric and neurological condition is compatible with continued imprisonment in a closed regime.
• Italy now awaits the Prosecutor-General’s opinion and a decision by the justice minister on Brazil’s request, as allies in Brazil increasingly expect extradition and the AGU keeps related submissions under a five-year secrecy classification.