More than 50 Brazilians convicted of the acts of January 8, 2023 who fled to Argentina are being monitored by local authorities, following a series of arrest warrants issued by the country’s courts. According to a report from Folha de S.Paulothe fugitives’ expectation was to find shelter under the government of President Javier Milei, something that has not materialized so far.
The scenario began to change in November, when an Argentine federal judge issued arrest warrants for those convicted, based on extradition requests made by Brazil. Since then, police have carried out searches at the addresses they provided when applying for asylum status. Only five have been detained so far and are awaiting hearings that could decide on their extradition or precautionary measures. If the decision is in favor of extradition, those convicted will still be able to appeal to the Argentine Supreme Court.
According to SheetArgentina, once seen as an “escape route”, now presents challenges for fugitives. Many have changed their habits, avoiding public spaces frequented by the Brazilian community in Buenos Aires, while others have already left the country for Chile and Peru, according to preliminary information received by the Brazilian government.
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According to the newspaper, asylum requests, based on allegations of political persecution, are still being analyzed by Conare (Argentine National Commission for Refugees). However, the final decision depends on government bodies, such as the Ministries of Security and Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, the Milei government has maintained its position of following the Court’s guidelines, without indicating any political interference in the case.
Although there are diplomatic tensions between presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Javier Milei, Brazilian diplomats believe that the Argentine government will not adopt a stance of support for fugitives, the newspaper highlighted, even with visits from political figures such as Eduardo Bolsonaro, who was recently in country and visited the detainees.
The first hearings in the case are scheduled for the beginning of 2025, when Argentine authorities will begin to decide on extraditions.
