Former Brazilian soccer star Robinho, who was sentenced in absentia in Italy to nine years in prison for gang rape, has been arrested in Brazil.
Federal police in the southeastern city of Santos told the AFP news agency yesterday evening (local time) that officers had executed an arrest warrant for Robson de Souza – Robinho’s real name. The 40-year-old will be examined and sent to prison.
APA/AFP/Giuseppe Cacace
Shortly before, Robinho had appealed against a court decision on Wednesday that he must serve the nine-year prison sentence imposed in absentia in Italy in his home country of Brazil and that his detention must begin “immediately”.
The aim of the defense was to ensure that the ex-soccer star could remain at large until he had exhausted all his options to take legal action against his imprisonment. However, a court rejected Robinho’s request.
Verdict confirmed by Italy’s highest court
The former Brazilian national soccer player was found guilty in 2017 of raping a woman celebrating her 23rd birthday in a Milan nightclub with five other men in January 2013.
At the time, Robinho was playing for AC Milan. Italy’s highest court confirmed the verdict in January 2022. Robinho denied the allegations and returned to his home country after the incident.
Italy issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho. However, Brazil does not extradite its nationals. Italy therefore demanded that the 40-year-old serve his sentence in his home country instead.