US to Consider Sending Former Intelligence Chief to Brazil After Arrest

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has requested that the United States extradite Alexandre Ramagem, a former intelligence chief, back to Brazil to serve his prison sentence. During an interview on Tuesday, Lula expressed confidence that Ramagem would be returned to Brazil.

Ramagem was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida on Monday. He had fled Brazil in September after being sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in a coup plot in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The Brazilian government had previously requested Ramagem’s extradition, citing his conviction in Brazil.

Ramagem was the head of the Agencia Brasileira de Inteligencia (ABIN), Brazil’s top intelligence agency, at the time of the alleged coup plot. He has also faced allegations of spying on Bolsonaro’s political rivals. The plot allegedly included plans to have Lula killed.

The US and Brazil have recently announced a joint effort to combat drug and weapons shipments. Ramagem is currently being held in the United States while awaiting his extradition back to Brazil.

Source: Al Jazeera