Brazilian Coup Prosecutions

Alexandre Ramagem, a former head of Brazil’s domestic intelligence service, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after arriving in the United States seeking asylum, according to reporting that first flagged his arrest. Ramagem fled Brazil after being convicted in connection with a plot to overturn the country’s democratic transfer of power; U.S. officials say he was located and taken into ICE custody while his asylum claim is processed. The case puts the practical questions of asylum, extradition and diplomatic ties front and center: the United States and Brazil have an extradition treaty dating to 1961 that allows surrender for offenses punishable by more than a year behind bars but excludes political offenses, while U.S. asylum law generally bars protection for applicants if there is a serious reason to believe they committed a serious nonpolitical crime abroad.