Italy rejects extradition of Henrique Pizzolato

An Italian court rejected today (Oct 28) the request for the extradition of Henrique Pizzolato, former marketing director at government-owned Banco do Brasil. Pizzolato was sentenced by Brazil's Federal Supreme Court (STF) to 12 years and seven months in prison for money laundering and embezzlement as part of Penal Action 470, the mensalão case.

According to data from Brazil's Prosecutor-General's Office (PGR), the Italian magistrates argue they have reasons to believe that the conditions in Brazilian prison facilities fail to meet human rights standards. Today's announcement is a summary of the proceedings, which are expected to be made public in full in 15 days. PGR's press office also declared that the Brazilian government is to appeal for the court ruling.

In April this year, Brazil's Prosecutor-General Rodrigo Janot asked STF and the Justice Ministry for recommended penitentiaries where Pizzolato could be sent in case his extradition was granted. The measure came as a result of a request by the Italian Prosecution Office and the Court of Appeal of Bologna in an attempt to ensure that, while serving time in Brazil, Pizzolato would not fall victim to human rights violations.

Pizzolato escaped from Brazil in September last year, before the end of the mensalão trials, and was arrested in February in Maranello, Italy.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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