The extradition hearing for Carla Zambelli, a former congresswoman from Brazil, was initiated after four delays in front of the Court of Appeals in Rome, Italy. The hearing commenced on Wednesday and lasted approximately five hours before it was interrupted, with further proceedings scheduled for Thursday. This case marks a significant moment as it will lead to the first official ruling by the Italian courts regarding Zambelli's extradition to Brazil, where she is wanted on serious charges.

Throughout the hearing, the Italian Public Prosecutor's Office expressed its support for the extradition, stating that all necessary legal requirements were met for Zambelli to be sent back to Brazil. The prosecutor had already opined favorably on the extradition in October, reinforcing the notion that Zambelli's extradition is in line with legal protocols. The hearing will now proceed with statements from both the Brazilian representative, lawyer Alessandro Gentiloni, and Zambelli's defense team, who were yet to present their arguments at the time of interruption.

Zambelli has been in custody for six months, highlighting the prolonged nature of the legal battle surrounding her case. The ultimate decision regarding her extradition will rest with the Italian government, through the Ministry of Justice, following any potential appeals to the Italian Supreme Court, known as the Corte di Cassazione. This extradition hearing is crucial as it exhibits the intersection of international law and diplomatic relations between Brazil and Italy, reflecting the complexities involved in cross-border legal proceedings.