Former Manchester City Star Arrested Following Court Ruling on Rape Sentence
Former Manchester City star, Robinho, has been arrested at his home in Santos, Sao Paulo, as he is set to serve his nine-year rape sentence. The Brazil ace was detained by Federal Police on Thursday after the Special Court of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) decided that he should serve his sentence for the crime of gang rape. Robinho was convicted in 2017 for his involvement in a 2013 gang-rape incident and has been free since then.
Italy had issued an international arrest warrant for Robinho, but he managed to avoid jail for seven years while residing in Sao Paulo. However, the STJ’s decision means that he will now serve his sentence in Brazil at the request of Italian authorities. This move is unprecedented, as the Brazilian constitution typically does not allow for the extradition of its citizens who have been sentenced abroad.
Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, has consistently maintained his innocence and accused the Italian justice system of “racism.” In an interview with Brazilian network TV Record, he expressed hope that he would be heard in Brazil and stated that he never denied the encounter but claimed it was consensual. He also criticized the Italian media for their coverage of racism during his time playing in Italy.
The case against Robinho involved a group of six men sexually assaulting an Albanian woman in a club during his stint with AC Milan. He was found guilty in November 2017 by an Italian court and has made several unsuccessful attempts to appeal the verdict. Under Italian law, his sentence would only begin once all appeal processes are completed.
Prior to the STJ’s ruling, there was a debate between Brazil and Italy regarding where Robinho should serve his sentence. Brazil argued that he should serve his time in Italy to represent joint efforts in combating crime and judicial cooperation. However, Italian prosecutors ultimately agreed that Robinho should serve his sentence in Brazil.
The decision by Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice did not determine whether Robinho is guilty or innocent but focused on whether he should serve his sentence in Brazil or abroad. Nine out of the 15 ministers voted in favor of him serving his sentence in his home country, sealing his fate.
Robinho’s case has had significant ramifications for his football career. In 2020, he signed a contract to return to his first club in Brazil, Santos. However, the deal quickly fell apart after sponsors threatened to cut ties with the club due to the signing of a player convicted of rape.
As Robinho faces the start of his prison sentence, he has surrendered his passport to authorities in March 2023, and his imprisonment was ratified in 2022. His case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding international criminal cases and the challenges faced in determining where a sentence should be served.
Overall, Robinho’s arrest and impending imprisonment mark a significant turning point in his life and career. The former Manchester City star will now face the consequences of his actions and serve his nine-year sentence in Brazil. Despite his claims of innocence, the court’s decision stands, and Robinho’s future remains uncertain.