Brazil deports 'Hamas operative' and family after US alert

Brazilian authorities deported a Palestinian man and his family after federal police were alerted by the US that a "Hamas operative" was travelling to the country.

Muslim Abuumar along with his pregnant wife, son and mother-in-law were detained upon entering the country at Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos airport and put on a Qatar Airways flight back to Doha, Reuters reports.

"The request came from the US Department of State," a senior federal police officer said. "It was proven before a judge that [Abuumar] was deeply involved with Hamas."

While the family said they were coming to visit Abuumar's brother who lives in Brazil, police claim the man intended to stay longer and serve as Hamas's spokesman there.