The Court of Appeal of Rome has concluded the hearings on Thursday regarding the extradition request for former Brazilian parliamentarian Carla Zambelli. The process, which was initiated the day before, involved a closed-door hearing lasting nearly seven hours. This marks the court's first decision in the case, which will be communicated to the lawyers within approximately two weeks. Following the communication of the decision, both Zambelli's defense and representatives of the Brazilian judiciary will have 15 days to appeal to the Court of Cassation, which is the final court of appeals in Italy. If an appeal is filed, the expectations are that the initial hearing could be scheduled within four to five months.

Zambelli attended the session personally but refrained from making any comments over the two-day proceedings. Reports indicate that her defense team, led by brothers Angelo and Pieremilio Sammarco, is arguing against the extradition based on claims of political persecution allegedly by Minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) Alexandre de Moraes. This argument seeks to portray Zambelli as a victim of judicial overreach, which could influence the Italian court's decision and any subsequent appeals, reflecting broader issues of political dynamics between Brazil and Italy. The implications of this ruling could resonate in Brazilian politics, particularly in light of past accusations against Zambelli and her allies, as well as affecting international legal cooperation between the two nations.