Four fugitive women, accused of involvement in the attacks of January 8, 2023, were arrested while trying to get illegally entering the United States. Three of them were arrested shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration in January this year, and are currently awaiting extradition for Brazil.
Cristiane da Silva was barred in El Paso, on the southwest border of Texas, and is detained along with two other women also convicted of participation in the attack in Brasilia. The information was confirmed by the ICE (US immigration and customs service) to the newspaper The globewhich stated that women “await expulsion to their countries of origin.” They have been detained for over 50 days.
The purpose of the fugitives was to obtain political refuge in the US, alleging political persecution from the Brazilian government. Cristiane da Silva was sentenced by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to one year in prison for criminal association and incitement to the crime. There is an arrest warrant issued against her in Brazil.
The detained women are:
- Raquel Souza Lopes, 51, from Joinville (SC), sentenced to 17 years in prison for five crimes, including attempted coup, criminal association and damage to public assets;
- Rosana Maciel Gomes, 51, from Goiânia (GO), sentenced to 14 years in prison for five crimes related to acts of January 8;
- Michely Paiva Alves, 38, from Limeira (SP), defendant and accused of five crimes committed during the attacks of January 8;
- Cristiane da Silva, 33, from Balneário Camboriú (SC), sentenced to one year in prison for criminal association and incitement to the crime.
According to the newspaper, ICE reported that arrests occurred during border patrols and women were processed under the “accelerated expulsion” regime, which allows the deportation of foreigners without judicial hearing.
The four arrested would be part of a group that left Brazil in the first half of 2024 and settled in Argentina. However, in mid -November, the Argentine court issued arrest warrants against Brazilians considered fugitives for being convicted of attacks on January 8.
