Brazil

Brazil to Request Argentina to Extradite Alleged Rioters

JUN 8 2024·Updated JUN 10 2024

Story

Above: The Plenary to the Brazilian Senate is seen at the Brazilian National Congress following a riot the previous day led by radical supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro on January 9, 2023 in Brasilia, Brazil. Image credit: Andressa Anholete/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

Brazil said it would request the extradition of alleged Jan. 8, 2023, rioters who fled to Argentina to seek political asylum after they were charged and released on bail.
BBC News
According to the Brazilian Federal Police, at least 65 defendants are currently in Argentina. None of the accused passed through migration control to gain entry to the country.
Brazil Reports
This comes a day after the police said that 48 people linked to the riots had been arrested in a massive operation across the country, with efforts underway to locate and capture another 160 "convicts or suspects considered fugitives."
Barrons
As of last month, 216 people have been sentenced over their alleged involvement in the anti-democratic acts, while 203 defendants accused of less severe crimes have struck deals with the prosecution.
Agência Brasil
While over 1.4K people have been charged, former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro is facing a Supreme Court probe over his role in the riots that allegedly sought to oust Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from office.
ap
Meanwhile, a constitutional amendment proposal to grant amnesty to protesters — including those who carried out last January's riot — has been set in motion in Brazil's lower house of Congress.
The Brazilian Report

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

It's no coincidence that fugitive rioters who stormed government buildings in Brasília have sought haven in Javier Milei's Argentina, given that the transnational far-right was behind this failed coup attempt in Brazil. If the rule of law and friendly diplomatic relations are to prevail, Buenos Aires should grant these possible extradition requests.

Foreign Affairs

Establishment-critical narrative

The Jan. 8 storming of government buildings in Brasília was relatively peaceful despite some property damage to furniture and artwork — and protesters never intended to stage a military coup. Mainstream media has promoted a conspiracy that doesn't exist while ignoring that Brazilians are fully capable of protesting and distrusting institutions on their own.