US ICE Detains Brazil’s Fugitive Ex-Intel Chief Alexandre Ramagem in Florida

Ramagem was detained by ICE in Florida after fleeing Brazil following a 16-year prison sentence for his role in a coup plot.

“Brazilian media have reported that the country’s former intelligence chief, Alexandre Ramagem, has been detained by immigration authorities in the United States, where he had fled after being convicted in connection with a coup plot on behalf of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro”

Al Jazeera

The Brazilian Federal Police confirmed the arrest as a result of international police cooperation.

Al Jazeera

Ramagem had been living in exile and has a pending asylum request.

Bolsonaro ally Paulo Figueiredo claimed the detention stemmed from a minor traffic infraction.

Ramagem was convicted for turning the intelligence agency into a clandestine counterintelligence unit.

He used spy software to track supreme court justices, lawmakers, journalists and public officials.

BBC

He also monitored investigations involving Bolsonaro’s sons.

He fled Brazil days before the verdict and claimed to have the approval of Trump’s government.

Brazil formally requested Ramagem's extradition in December.

“Brazil’s fugitive former intelligence chief and lawmaker Alexandre Ramagem has been taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement”

CNN

He was detained on an immigration matter rather than an extradition order.

He has a pending asylum request that allows him to remain legally in the US.

The arrest is the result of international cooperation between Brazil and the US.