On Friday, March 21, 2025, Brazilian Deputy Carla Zambelli (PL-SP) faced condemnation from the Supreme Federal Court (STF), as Minister Gilmar Mendes voted to impose a sentence of five years and three months in prison for her actions related to the illegal possession of a firearm and coercion. Mendes also recommended that Zambelli lose her parliamentary mandate, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations leveled against her.
The vote marks a significant moment in Brazilian politics, coming in the wake of an explosive incident from October 2022, just before the second round of the presidential elections. On October 29, in the upscale Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo, Zambelli drew a 9 mm pistol during an argument with a man, later identified as journalist Luan Araújo. This moment, captured on video, fueled public outcry and ultimately led to formal charges by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) in early 2023.
Mendes articulated that the evidence clearly demonstrated misuse of the weapon by the congresswoman during the altercation, stating that "ficou suficientemente demonstrado o uso indevido da arma de fogo pela parlamentar..." which translates to "the improper use of the firearm by the parliamentarian has been sufficiently demonstrated." His statement underscores the court's view of Zambelli's actions as exceeding any reasonable justification.
Joining Mendes, Minister Cármen Lúcia and Minister Alexandre de Moraes also supported the conviction, solidifying a preliminary 3-0 vote against Zambelli. Moraes emphasized that Zambelli's conduct went beyond any legitimate justification, declaring during his vote that "a conduta da ré extrapolou qualquer justificativa legítima..." or "the conduct of the defendant exceeded any legitimate justification."
The STF is set to finalize the trial proceedings by March 28, 2025, with other justices expected to cast their votes electronically in the virtual plenary. If the majority side with the relator, Zambelli faces not only prison time but also possible disqualification from future elections under Brazil's Clean Record Law, as her sentence exceeds the threshold for political ineligibility.
Zambelli has adamantly maintained her innocence, expressing her confidence in the judicial process through a public statement: "Confio plenamente na Justiça e tenho certeza de que a minha inocência ficará evidente," which means, "I fully trust in Justice and am certain that my innocence will become evident." She claims to have had a valid firearm license and cited a prior incident as justification for her reaction during the quarrel.
The events leading to her indictment opened a contentious dialogue in Brazil about the role of firearms in political discourse, particularly in an election climate charged with tension, as seen in the lead-up to the October 2022 elections. Zambelli's defense argues she acted in a moment of distress, responding to provocations during a politically charged confrontation. This while her opponents assert that being armed in public, particularly with the contentious history of violence and political intimidation in Brazil, is unacceptable.
Additionally, the PGR indicated plans to enforce a penalty wherein Zambelli may be obligated to pay R$ 100,000 for collective damages caused by her actions at the time of the incident, further complicating her legal challenges.
As authorities prepare to conclude the evaluation of the case, the implications of this ruling extend beyond Zambelli herself, potentially affecting perceptions of political accountability in Brazil. The outcome could serve as a bellwether for how political figures dealing with legal accusations navigate their charges and public image.
The virtual format of the trial has sparked concerns about the fairness of the proceedings, with Zambelli's legal team asserting their right to present a comprehensive defense and questioning the lack of personal representation during the electronic voting process. They have stated that despite feeling constrained in their legal defense, they will continue to work towards demonstrating Zambelli's non-involvement in the criminal infractions alleged against her.
This trial stands as a pivotal moment in Brazilian politics, leading not only to potential personal ramifications for Zambelli but also contributing to a larger examination of the political culture surrounding the use of firearms in public life.
