Brazilian civil police have apprehended two individuals linked to a suspected attack on a free concert by singer Lady Gaga at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. A third individual was arrested for allegedly plotting a “Satanist ritual” during the event.
The first two suspects consist of a teenage boy arrested in Rio and an adult man detained in Rio Grande Dur. Police indicated that they were preparing to deploy homemade explosives, like Molotov cocktails, but no explosives were located after the arrests.
While the identities of the suspects have not been disclosed, authorities mentioned they belong to online groups promoting hate speech and violence, targeting vulnerable youth. There’s also concern that the plot was particularly aimed at the Brazilian LGBTQ community, though specifics on which group were not detailed.
According to Rio Police Secretary Felipe Curie, the suspects had been partaking in online activities that foster violence and notoriety.
Additionally, the adult suspect faces charges related to illegal firearm possession, while the teenager is implicated in offenses concerning child sexual abuse material. It’s uncertain what exact involvement the teen had in the planned attack, but there were indications that they were ready to utilize makeshift explosives to target attendees.
In a separate case, another individual was arrested for allegedly intending to execute a “Satanist ritual” involving child harm at the concert, which led to further terrorism charges.
Police mentioned executing 15 warrants for searches across nine locations, including the apprehension of individuals who aimed to recruit others to execute their attack.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, coordinated efforts under a collaborative operation called “Operation Fake Monsters,” a nod to Lady Gaga’s fanbase, known as “Little Monsters.” The goal was to thwart any potential threats ahead of the concert without alarming the public or the concert’s organizers.
On the day following the threat, a representative for Lady Gaga released a statement regarding the situation.
They stated, “We became aware of this threat through media reports. Prior to and following the show, there were no safety concerns raised to us, and there was no communication from the police or authorities regarding any potential risks. Lady Gaga’s team collaborated closely with law enforcement during the planning and execution phases, and all parties felt confident about the safety measures in place.”
Furthermore, on the same day, the Rio de Janeiro Civic Police shared a video detailing the operation, which included conducting searches in various locations.
In their statement, the Civic Police noted, “Individuals linked to an online plot were identified, aiming to carry out attacks with improvised explosives as a strategy for gaining social media attention.”
In response to the successful operations, local authorities are ready to ensure the safety of attendees at the highly anticipated concert.
