Why Robinho Is in Jail
At a Glance
- Who: Robson de Souza (Robinho), former Brazil international (Real Madrid, AC Milan, Man City).
- Crime & venue: 2013 gang rape in Milan; Italian courts imposed a 9-year sentence (final in 2022).
- Extradition: Brazil does not extradite nationals; Italy requested sentence recognition.
- Key ruling: Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) recognised and made the Italian sentence enforceable in Brazil (2024).
- Custody start: 21 March 2024 arrest in Santos; imprisoned at Tremembé penitentiary (São Paulo state).
- Regime change: Possible easing around 40% served, c. 2027, subject to conduct and court rules.
How It Unfolded
The original crime (2013)
While playing for AC Milan, Robinho and others sexually assaulted a 22-year-old Albanian woman at a Milan nightclub. Reports indicated she was intoxicated and unable to resist.
Italian court rulings (2017 → 2022)
- 2017: First-instance conviction: 9 years.
- 2020: Appeals court upheld the verdict.
- Jan 2022: Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation confirmed the conviction as final.
Extradition & Enforcement in Brazil
Brazil’s Constitution bars extradition of Brazilian nationals. That meant Italy’s sentence could not be served there via extradition; instead, Italy sought recognition so Brazil could enforce the sentence domestically.
Arrest & transfer
On 21 March 2024, police arrested Robinho at his home in Santos after courts rejected bids to remain free during challenges. He was transferred to the Tremembé penitentiary in São Paulo state.
Where He Is & Conditions of the Sentence
- Location: Tremembé (São Paulo), a rural penitentiary complex.
- Length: Nine years, per the Italian judgment recognised by Brazil.
- Regime change: Under Brazilian law, and subject to behaviour and judicial decisions, a less-restrictive regime may be possible after roughly 40% of the term (indicatively around 2027).
Note: Regime progression is not automatic; it depends on conduct, legal requirements, and judicial approval.
Robinho’s Position & Response
Robinho denies wrongdoing, claiming the encounter was consensual. His lawyers have pursued multiple challenges:
- Arguing constitutional issues with enforcing a foreign criminal sentence domestically.
- Seeking to delay imprisonment pending appeals (including habeas corpus bids) — requests denied by Brazilian courts.
Why This Took So Long
- Multiple appeals in Italy to finality (through 2022).
- Brazilian recognition process under 2017 law for foreign criminal judgments.
- Public profile & scrutiny, which often lengthen complex, cross-border cases.
What “In Jail” Means Here
When people ask whether Robinho is “in jail,” they mean: has he begun serving time after final legal determinations? Yes. Since March 2024, he has been physically incarcerated in Brazil under a Brazilian court order enforcing Italy’s final sentence. Appeals may continue on specific points, but the sentence is being carried out.
FAQs: Robinho’s Imprisonment
- Is Robinho in jail?
- Yes. Arrested in Brazil on 21 March 2024; serving a 9-year sentence recognised from Italy.
- Why is he imprisoned?
- For a 2013 gang rape in Milan. Italian courts imposed a nine-year term; Brazil recognised and is enforcing it.
- Why not extradited to Italy?
- Brazil’s Constitution does not permit extradition of Brazilian nationals; enforcement occurs domestically instead.
- Where is he held?
- At the Tremembé penitentiary in São Paulo state, Brazil.
- When could his custody regime change?
- Potentially after about 40% served (indicatively c. 2027), subject to behaviour and court approval.
- Does he still appeal?
- He has pursued further legal challenges, but courts have kept the sentence in force whilst those proceed.