Former football star Robinho has inched closer to serving his nine-year jail sentence for rape in Brazil.
Italian authorities sought his extradition but were ruled out for legal reasons, leading Brazilian officials to consider domestic imprisonment.
Public prosecutors in Brazil argued this aligns with national legislation, showcasing the country’s commitment to combating crime and fostering judicial cooperation. Serving time in Italy after his 2017 conviction for sexual assault has been ruled out, as Brazil doesn’t extradite its citizens sentenced abroad.
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Reports suggest Brazil’s Public Prosecutor’s Office warned of the risk of allowing Robinho to evade the law if the Italian request is ignored.
The ex-footballer, part of a group convicted of assaulting a woman in a Milan club in 2013, had his Santos contract terminated in 2020 after a leading sponsor cut ties due to his Italian rape conviction.
Robinho, real name Robson de Souza, acknowledged the decision on Instagram, expressing sadness and emphasizing his focus on personal matters.
Since then, Robinho’s social media activity has been minimal, with sporadic New Year greetings to his two million fans.
While his lawyers maintain that his relations were consensual, they have not addressed the recent developments involving the Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office advocating for his imprisonment in his home country.
