Robson de Souza, popularly known as Robinho, a renowned footballer previously representing Brazil and Manchester City, was apprehended from his residency in Santos city by the federal police. This comes after Brazilian courts concluded that he must complete his nine-year incarceration term for a rape conviction previously rendered in Italy.
The law enforcement action took place on a Thursday evening, subsequent to his legal representatives’ unsuccessful efforts to postpone his confinement relating to the crime that occurred in 2013 during his time as an AC Milan player.
Robinho was declared guilty by a Milan court in 2017, along with five other Brazilian nationals, for collectively assaulting a female after coercing her to consume alcohol at a nightclub. The guilty verdict was substantiated by an appellate court in 2020 and endorsed by the Supreme Court of Italy in 2022.
Despite the accusations and rulings, Robinho has consistently refuted the charges. Following his arrest, he was escorted to the federal police headquarters in Santos, his stepping stone to a successful career in the 90s. His arrival at the headquarters after 8pm local time drew significant media attention.
As per Brazilian media, Robinho is to undergo a medical examination of forensic nature before appearing for a custody hearing. Post this, it is anticipated that the shamed footballer will be relocated to one of the prisons in São Paulo state, where Santos is situated. Tremembé city, reputed for its celebrity criminals including murderers and serial sex offenders, is suggested as the potential location for Robinho to serve his sentence.