Brazil to ask Argentina to extradite suspected rioters

The Brazilian government has announced it will seek the extradition of more than 60 people who fled to Argentina after being charged for their alleged involvement in riots that rocked the Brazilian capital last year.

The riots were led by supporters of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, about a week after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office.

Thousands of people stormed government buildings in Brasilia on January 8, 2023 after successfully crossing the city, uncontested.

Hundreds of Mr Bolsonaro's supporters have been arrested, charged and released on bail.

Many of them have fled to Argentina since the inauguration of the right-wing president, Javier Mileiin December, to request political asylum.

The Brazilian government is now demanding their return.

Federal police chief Andrei Passos told local media: “We will list all the convicts who are probably in Argentina and forward extradition requests.”

It is unclear whether Mr Milei – a friend of Mr Bolsonaro and a staunch critic of President Lula – will agree to the request.

Several police officers were injured during the violence and the presidential palace, Congress and the Supreme Court were vandalized after the rioters entered by force.

The Brazilian government believes the riots were part of an attempted coup orchestrated by Mr. Bolsonaro, who refused to accept his defeat in a hotly contested presidential election. He denies any involvement.

President Lula also very firmly pointed out the collusion of “people within the armed forces”.

A man involved in the riots was sentenced to 17 years in prison for attempted coup.