President Lula’s comments came amidst the ongoing legal saga involving Robinho, who faces the possibility of a prison sentence. The Superior Court of Justice is scheduled to make a pivotal decision on the case on the 20th of the upcoming month. This decision will determine whether Robinho’s conviction in Italy will be recognized and enforced in Brazil. President Lula asserts that Robinho’s sentence in Italy should already be underway.
In his statement, President Lula underscored the severity of the crime of rape, emphasizing that perpetrators must be held accountable and face legal consequences. He stressed the fundamental importance of mutual consent in sexual encounters and rejected any notion that could excuse or justify such heinous behavior. President Lula pointed to Robinho as an example of a wealthy and influential individual who might erroneously believe that their status exempts them from the law. However, he reaffirmed that rape is an indefensible offense, and those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Robinho, once hailed as a football sensation, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in a collective rape incident in 2013. Despite the finalization of his sentence in 2022, Robinho has managed to evade arrest due to his presence in Brazil. The Brazilian government’s policy of not extraditing its citizens complicates the enforcement of foreign convictions. Nevertheless, the Superior Court of Justice has agreed to consider a request from Italian authorities for Robinho to serve his sentence within Brazil’s jurisdiction.
The prevailing expectation is that the Superior Court of Justice will affirm Robinho’s rape conviction and subsequently issue an order for his incarceration. Minister Francisco Falcão, who serves as the rapporteur for the case, is expected to deliver a thorough and meticulous judgment, adhering to established legal principles and jurisprudence, particularly in cases involving violence against women.
Furthermore, President Lula expressed his dismay over another rape case involving Daniel Alves, allegedly condemned in Spain for assaulting a young Spanish woman at a club. Lula emphasized that individuals accused of such barbaric crimes should be held accountable regardless of their status or influence.
Robinho was convicted in 2017 for his role in the assault of a young Albanian woman at the Sio Cafe nightclub in Milan on January 22, 2013. The victim, celebrating her 23rd birthday at the time, was subjected to a horrific ordeal. Alongside Robinho, who was playing for Milan at the time, five other Brazilian individuals were implicated in the assault. However, only Robinho and Ricardo Falco were formally brought to trial. Nine years later, Robinho received a final conviction with no avenues for appeal. However, his presence in Brazil has hindered his arrest. Initially seeking his extradition, the Italian government revised its request due to legal constraints, now seeking enforcement of the sentence within Brazil’s jurisdiction. The decision now rests with the Superior Court of Justice, currently deliberating on the matter.
