Former Brazil international Robinho arrested to serve rape sentence

Robinho, a former Brazilian football star, has been arrested and will start his nine-year prison term for a rape conviction. This sentence stems from his involvement in the gang rape of an Albanian woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013, a crime for which he was found guilty in Italy two years prior.

Robinho, 40, was taken into custody at his residence in Santos, Brazil, following the Italian government’s request to have him serve his sentence in his home country after extradition attempts failed. A Brazilian court recently upheld this decision, further ruling that he must serve his sentence in prison rather than under house arrest, a move supported by many in local media who feared his fame and wealth might enable him to evade justice.

Despite appeals and attempts to halt his detention, including a recent rejection by a Supreme Court judge, the Brazilian justice system has remained resolute. Robinho, who earned 100 caps for Brazil, was playing for AC Milan when the crime occurred.