A Brazilian senator is asking that the U.S. grant asylum to Alexandre Ramagem, a former chief of the Brazilian intelligence agency. 

In September, Ramagem was sentenced in Brazil for his role in a coup attempt by supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in 2023, CBS News reported. According to Brazil's federal police, Ramagem fled the country before starting his sentence. 

Ramagem was taken into custody by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Brazilian Sen. Jorge Seif told the U.S. embassy in Brasília that Ramagem should not remain in custody, because he's being persecuted at home.