RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil’s Federal Police have officially requested the extradition of many individuals who fled the country following allegations that they participated in the January 8 attack on key government buildings. This incident is viewed as an attempt to forcefully reinstate former President Jair Bolsonaro. Sources familiar with the situation, who wished to remain anonymous, indicated that the police submitted this request to Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Court, who subsequently forwarded it to the Justice Ministry. The extradition aims at 63 individuals, many of whom are believed to be currently residing in Argentina.
Justice de Moraes is overseeing a broad investigation into the chaotic events that transpired in Brasilia and has placed a ban on identified suspects and those already convicted from leaving Brazil. Bolsonaro, who himself is under scrutiny in this investigation, along with his supporters, claims innocence and asserts they are victims of political oppression, similar to the claims made by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump regarding his legal challenges. Bolsonaro has consistently expressed doubts about the integrity of Brazil’s electoral process, did not concede his loss in the October 2022 elections, and chose not to attend the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In a significant operation carried out in June, federal police aimed to apprehend those involved in the riots. Reports revealed that over 200 individuals deliberately violated court orders or escaped to other nations. Currently, authorities have apprehended several fugitives across various Brazilian states, including Espirito Santo, Sao Paulo, and Bahia. The charged offenses encompass attempted coup, incitement of crime, and damage to protected properties, according to police statements.
Moreover, Brazil’s Supreme Court has reached out to Argentina’s foreign affairs ministry to ascertain the presence of 143 individuals considered fugitives from Brazilian law within Argentine territory. This communication was conducted through the Brazilian embassy in Buenos Aires on June 11. Although the Supreme Court previously mandated that defendants surrender their passports, it was reported that some individuals managed to flee into neighboring countries. At least nine suspects reportedly removed their electronic monitoring devices and crossed into Argentina and Uruguay via the southern borders with Brazil.
Traveling between Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay for tourism doesn’t necessitate a passport, as all three nations are members of the Mercosur trade bloc, allowing travel with just an identification card.
When approached for comments on specific extradition requests, Brazil’s Justice Ministry refrained from providing detailed information, stating that all requests undergo a thorough evaluation before being forwarded to the Foreign Relations Ministry, which facilitates communication with governmental authorities in Argentina. Both the Supreme Court and the Foreign Relations Ministry also declined to provide commentary regarding the matter.
Brazil’s ongoing efforts to hold accountable those engaged in the uprising have involved numerous operations, leading to hundreds of arrests linked to the desecration of government properties and the various entities that incited or financed these actions. Earlier this year, police executed searches across the residences and offices of prominent aides to Bolsonaro and one of his sons, Carlos, as part of the ongoing investigation which also included the confiscation of the former president’s passport.