Alexandre Ramagem, Brazil’s former intelligence chief and ally of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando, Florida.
Key Takeaways
Brazil’s former intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem was arrested in Orlando, Florida. He fled Brazil to avoid serving a 16-year sentence for his role in Bolsonaro's coup attempt. Details on why ICE detained him remain unclear, but he may seek asylum in the US.
- Former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem arrested by ICE in Orlando
- Fled Brazil before sentencing for coup plot conviction
- May seek political asylum in the United States
- Detained after a traffic stop and referred to ICE
Ramagem fled Brazil in September before he could begin serving a 16-year sentence for his role in the coup attempt by Bolsonaro supporters in 2023. According to Brazilian federal police, Ramagem illegally crossed into Guyana and then flew to the U.S., where he had been living as a fugitive.
Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif claimed on social media that Ramagem is pleading for political asylum in the United States. Seif asserted that Ramagem was being persecuted at home and argued that his detention should be lifted. However, details about why Ramagem was taken into custody remain unclear.
The Brazilian federal police confirmed that ICE detained 'a fugitive from Brazilian justice following his conviction for the crimes of armed criminal association, attempted coup d'etat, and the attempted violent abolition of the rule of law.' The statement did not mention Ramagem by name but noted that the unnamed fugitive was recently sentenced by Brazil's top court for the same three counts as Ramagem's conviction.
Paulo Figueiredo, a Bolsonaro ally living in the U.S., posted on social media that Ramagem was detained after a police stop in Orlando 'initially for a minor traffic violation and then referred to ICE.' Figueiredo added that Ramagem has a pending asylum application and is optimistic he will be released soon.
Ramagem, 53, previously commanded Brazil's main intelligence agency, ABIN, under Bolsonaro. He was later elected as a federal lawmaker but lost his seat after his conviction. Additionally, Ramagem is under investigation for allegedly leading a criminal group that carried out illegal spying on behalf of Bolsonaro and his inner circle using Israeli surveillance software.
Bolsonaro himself is serving a 27-year prison sentence over the conspiracy, which prosecutors said failed only because of a lack of support from military top brass. His eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, is emerging as a key opposition candidate in this year’s presidential election.
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