On Friday, May 9, 2025, the 1st Panel of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) formed a majority to convict federal deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP) to 10 years in prison for her involvement in the invasion of the electronic system of the National Council of Justice (CNJ) in 2023. This significant ruling marks a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics, as Zambelli has been a controversial figure since her election.
The case against Zambelli, alongside hacker Walter Delgatti Neto, revolves around charges of invading the CNJ system and ideological falsehood. The ministers who voted in favor of the conviction included Alexandre de Moraes, who served as the rapporteur of the case, as well as Flávio Dino and Cristiano Zanin. The decision to convict was reached during a virtual session of the court, which will continue to deliberate until May 16, 2025.
According to the Attorney General's Office (PGR), Zambelli was the mastermind behind the hacking incident, which aimed to issue a false arrest warrant for Minister Alexandre de Moraes, effectively making it appear as though he was ordering his own arrest. This allegation, if proven true, represents a serious breach of legal and ethical standards.
The court's decision also entails the loss of Zambelli's congressional mandate, which must be formally declared by the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies. Furthermore, the ruling includes a stipulation that Zambelli will be ineligible for public office for eight years. The ministers also imposed a sentence of 8 years and 3 months on Delgatti, along with a collective moral damages fine of R$ 2 million, which will be shared with Zambelli.
The Federal Police (PF) first indicted Zambelli and Delgatti in February 2024. Investigations revealed that the purpose of the cyber intrusion was to forge release warrants and arrest orders against Moraes by falsifying his signature. Delgatti, who has confessed to the crime, claimed that Zambelli had commissioned the attack.
In a striking twist, the hacker's defense stated that Zambelli allegedly paid R$ 40,000 for the invasion of judicial systems, a claim she has vehemently denied. Zambelli's legal team has characterized Delgatti as a mythomaniac, asserting that he has a compulsive tendency to lie. In a petition submitted to the PF in November 2023, they reinforced this narrative.
During a testimony at the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) on January 8, 2024, Delgatti reiterated that Zambelli had requested the attack on the CNJ system. He also claimed that former president Jair Bolsonaro had promised him amnesty for any illegal acts he might commit, further complicating the political landscape surrounding this case.
In addition to the hacking charges, Zambelli is currently facing another criminal case in the STF. This stems from an incident in August 2023, when she brandished a firearm and pursued journalist Luan Araújo in the lead-up to the second round of the 2022 elections. The Supreme Court has indicated a preliminary vote of 5 to 0 in favor of sentencing her to 5 years and 3 months in a semi-open regime for this incident. However, a request for a view from Minister Nunes Marques has delayed the conclusion of this trial.
In a separate ruling, the Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo (TRE-SP) revoked Zambelli's mandate on January 30, 2025, citing abuse of political power and the dissemination of fake news during the 2022 elections. Although this decision does not take immediate effect, it renders her ineligible for a period of eight years. Zambelli continues to serve as a federal deputy pending the outcome of her appeals.
In response to her conviction, Zambelli issued a statement claiming she is a victim of political persecution and asserted that there is a lack of concrete evidence against her. "In respect to the Brazilian population and the trust that nearly 1 million voters placed in me, I express my profound feeling of discontent with the vote cast by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who, ignoring the facts and the absence of evidence in the records, chose to unjustly condemn me," she stated.
She further argued that the trial is not about concrete actions but rather about her steadfast stance and vocal defense of conservative values. "There is no proof supporting this conviction. What exists is a clear attempt to silence a right-wing woman, an elected deputy who does not bend to abuses of power," Zambelli declared.
Despite the ruling, Zambelli maintains her innocence. "I continue with a clear conscience, as I have never acted with malice, violence, or bad faith, and I have never committed any criminal act punishable under Brazilian law," she added. Zambelli emphasized that her only source of income is her salary as a deputy, arguing that a politician who lives off their salary could not possibly afford the substantial fines levied against her.
The case has sparked widespread debate about political accountability and the integrity of Brazil's judicial system. As the court deliberations continue, many are watching closely to see how this complex legal battle will unfold and what it means for Zambelli's future in Brazilian politics.
As the political landscape evolves, the ramifications of this case could extend beyond Zambelli, potentially influencing public trust in elected officials and the justice system itself. The outcome of this trial may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
