Ex-Man City star arrested after judges ruled he will serve his rape sentence
EX-MAN City star Robinho has been arrested at his home as he is about to start serving his nine-year sentence for rape.
The Brazilian star was arrested by federal police on Thursday at his home in Santos, Sao Paulo state.
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It is understood he will face a custody hearing in Brazil tonight, Globo reports.
The former player was arrested after the Special Court of the Supreme Court (STJ) decided that he should serve a nine-year prison sentence for gang rape, following a conviction by the Italian justice system.
Italy had issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, but the former Premier League star avoided jail for seven years while living in Sao Paulo.
He was convicted in 2017 and will now serve his sentence in Brazil at the request of Italian authorities, in an unprecedented move.
The former Santos star says he is innocent.
But today Brazil’s Supreme Court (STJ) reviewed Italy’s request.
Nine out of fifteen ministers voted in favor of serving the sentence in his home country. They formed a simple majority and sealed the footballer’s fate.
They did not judge whether the player is guilty or innocent, but whether he should serve the sentence in Brazil or not.
Condemned in Italy
Robinho was part of a group of six men convicted of sexually assaulting an Albanian woman at a club on January 22, 2013, during his spell at AC Milan.
He was found guilty by an Italian court in November 2017 and has made several unsuccessful attempts to appeal over the years.
Under Italian law, his sentence will only begin after the appeals procedures have been completed.
Brazil’s constitution generally does not allow the extradition of citizens convicted abroad.
This means that to date the 40-year-old would only have actually been arrested if he traveled abroad.
In November last year, Italian prosecutors said they believed Robinho should serve his sentence in Brazil.
Brazil previously argued that he should serve his time in Italy, arguing that this would amount to joint efforts to combat crime and judicial cooperation.
Robinho, full name Robson de Souza, currently lives in Sao Paulo and surrendered his passport to authorities in March 2023 after his prison sentence was upheld in 2022.
CLAIMS OF INNOCENCE
Robinho, who claims he is innocent, accused the Italian justice system of “racism” and said the 2013 encounter was “consensual”.
He told a Brazilian TV channel on Sunday: “I hope I can have the voice here in Brazil that I didn’t have there.”
“I never denied it (the meeting). I could have denied it because my DNA wasn’t there, but I’m not a liar.
“I played in Italy for four years and I got tired of seeing stories about racism. The same people who do nothing about racism, which I reject, are the ones who condemned me.”
A Brazilian news channel previously published audio recordings obtained by Italian authorities, showing Robinho discussing the case with friends.
In one clip he says, “We punch her in the face. You punch her in the face and say, ‘What did I do to you?'”
And in another: “That’s why I’m laughing, I don’t care at all.
“The girl was extremely drunk, she doesn’t even know who I am.”
Another leaked conversation shows him saying: “If this gets into the press I will be devastated.”
Robinho played for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan and signed a contract in 2020 to return to his first club in Brazil, Santos.
However, the deal fell apart almost immediately after sponsors reportedly threatened to cut ties with the club over signing a player convicted of rape.
After Santos’ announcement, the striker admitted via Instagram: “Guys, this is Robinho.
“Of course, it is with great sadness in my heart that I am here to tell you that I have taken the decision together with the club president to suspend my contract at this difficult time in my life.
“My goal has always been to help Santos Football Club and if I get in the way in any way, it is best for me to leave and concentrate on my personal matters.”