Rome Court Starts Zambelli Extradition Hearing, Then Suspends Session

Overview

• The Court of Appeal in Rome on Feb. 10 rejected Carla Zambelli’s request to replace the judges assigned to her case, keeping the same panel in place.
• Proceedings began on Feb. 11 and were suspended after statements by the Italian prosecutor and a defense lawyer, with the hearing expected to resume on Thursday (12).
• Zambelli remains detained at Rome’s Rebibbia prison after her July 29 arrest, following Brazil’s formal request that she be returned to serve Supreme Court convictions.
• Brazil supplied an 11‑page report on conditions at the Colmeia women’s prison in Brasília, which authorities designated for any sentence, and Italian prosecutors have previously backed extradition.
• The defense alleges political persecution, questions prison conditions, cites her Italian citizenship, and notes lobbying against extradition by Senator Matteo Gelmetti, according to her lawyer.