Runaway Brazilian ex-spy chief convicted in coup reportedly detained by ICE at Florida traffic stop
U.S. immigration authorities reportedly detained former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem in Florida on Monday, months after Brazil sentenced him to prison for his role in a plot to keep...
By Fox News · Fox News
U.S. immigration authorities reportedly detained former Brazilian intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem in Florida on Monday, months after Brazil sentenced him to prison for his role in a plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power after the 2022 election. Brazilian authorities said Ramagem fled the country in September 2025, shortly after being sentenced to 16 years in prison. But Ramagem's supporters argue that he has an active asylum claim in the United States and should not be deported. In a statement announcing Ramagem's detention, the Brazilian Federal Police did not name him directly but referenced the crimes he was convicted of. "The detainee is considered a fugitive from Brazilian justice after convictions to crimes including participation in an armed criminal organization, a coup d’état, and the attempted violent abolition of the rule of law," the Federal Police said in a statement. ERIC SWALWELL UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OVER ALLEGED UNAUTHORIZED NANNY HIRE Brazilian Senator Jorge Seif, an ally of Bolsonaro, shared on social media that Ramagem was detained by U.S. authorities . Seif is pushing for Ramagem's release, arguing that he should be granted political asylum. "The political persecution against President Bolsonaro, his sons and his allies is now hitting an elected lawmaker in foreign soil," Seif said. "In our document (to the U.S. embassy) we showed all the reasons that justify and defend the concession of political asylum to Ramagem and his family." Brazilian authorities said the detention was the result of " international police cooperation ," not directly tied to his conviction. Brazilian journalist Paulo Figueiredo, a friend of Ramagem, shared on X that he was detained after being stopped by police for a "minor traffic violation." Authorities then referred Ramagem to ICE. Figueiredo claimed that Ramagem currently has an asylum request with the United States. BOLSONARO DYNASTY EYES COMEBACK AS BRAZIL’S SOCIALIST PRESIDENT FACES CHALL…