Brazil's Top Court Upholds 10-Year Sentence for Fugitive Congresswoman

Brazil's Supreme Court Affirms 10-Year Sentence for Congresswoman Carla Zambelli. A unanimous decision by the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) has ended the appeals process in the case against Brazilian congresswoman Carla Zambelli (PL-SP). Zambelli was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison for her involvement in hacking the National Council of Justice (CNJ) systems. The STF deemed Zambelli's appeal "merely dilatory," effectively ending the possibility of further legal challenges. This decision holds significant implications. According to the Constitution, a criminal conviction with 'trânsito em julgado' automatically results in the loss of a parliamentarian's mandate. Zambelli's status as a fugitive, having left Brazil after her conviction, further complicates the situation. The case highlights the ongoing tensions within Brazil's political landscape. The reporter stated, "This was an expected outcome for this appeal, as Minister Alexandre de Moraes had already described it as merely dilatory."