The fugitive ex-intelligence head, convicted of plotting a coup with Jair Bolsonaro, was arrested for a minor traffic violation and then referred to ICE
Former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem has been detained by ICE in the United States, the agency reported on its website on Monday, after he fled Brazil in September following his conviction for plotting a coup with ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.
Ramagem, a former Federal Police inspector, was sentenced to over 16 years in prison for his role in a plot to overturn leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s 2022 election victory over Bolsonaro.
Ramagem’s lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has long maintained his innocence.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on its website that Ramagen had been detained but gave no other details. It did not immediately respond to questions.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Federal Police said in a statement on Monday that a Brazilian man whose capture was sought by that country’s authorities was arrested in Orlando, Florida, by ICE. The Federal Police did not identify the man but said he had been convicted by Brazil’s Supreme Court of plotting a coup.
The detention was the result of cooperation between the law enforcement in both countries, Brazil’s Federal Police added.