Victim’s lawyer says he trusts Brazilian justice

Jacopo Gnocchi considered the quick response that Brazil gave to Italy’s request for the striker to be positive. Robinho and his friend Ricardo Falco serve their prison terms in the country. The victim’s lawyer, a woman who is now 32 years old, said she trusts Brazilian justice.

“We are absolutely satisfied”, stated Gnocchi, emphasizing that this is another important step in the process. “Although the Italian justice system has done what it had to do, that is, prosecute them with all the guarantees and convict them of the crime, what we have so far is impunity. They continue to circulate freely throughout the country. Now it’s the turn of the Brazil to take this step in search of justice”, said the lawyer in a telephone conversation with UOL.

The request for execution of the penalty for the player and Falco was sent to Brazil at the end of last month. On Thursday (23), the communication advisory of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) published a note stating that the President of the Court, Minister Maria Thereza de Assis Moura, determined the beginning of the process to judge the request of the Italian Justice.

“For us, the country where the sentence will be executed is irrelevant, whether in Italy or Brazil, it is enough that it is carried out,” he said. “Brazil is a great country and knows it needs to protect the victims, it cannot be a paradise of impunity. They were convicted in all instances, 15 judges found them guilty. I hope that the Brazilian judiciary gives a favorable opinion to Italy’s request and to execute both sentences definitively”, said Gnocchi.

For the lawyer, much depends on the sensitivity (of judges and public opinion). He remembers that this is a pilot case of execution of sentences in the country of Brazilians who committed crimes abroad. “It is about protection. Not only for women, but for all people who suffer any type of violence”, he claims.

Gnocchi spoke with the victim, but did not elaborate on the conversation. He just said that his position is always the same, that is, until the sentence is carried out, he will not say anything.

UNDERSTAND THE CASE

Robinho and Falco were sentenced by the Italian court to nine years in prison for gang rape in 2013 in a Milan nightclub.

Four other Brazilians were also denounced by the victim, but the process against them is stalled, as they left Italy during the investigation and could not be notified.

Gnocchi said he hopes the Italian court will reopen the case and will do everything to make that happen.