Brazilian Police Foil Bomb Plot Against Lady Gaga’s Concert in Rio, Arrest Two Suspects

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Authorities have announced the disruption of a planned bomb attack during Lady Gaga’s concert at Copacabana Beach, which attracted around 2 million fans. Brazilian police reported on Sunday that the attack was foiled in cooperation with the Justice Ministry.

The police revealed the group behind the plot had ties to hate speech campaigns targeting the LGBTQ community. Their strategy included radicalizing young individuals to execute attacks with Molotov cocktails and explosives, treating the operation as a “collective challenge” to gain social media notoriety.

Two individuals were arrested: the group’s alleged leader, apprehended for illegal weapons possession in Rio Grande do Sul, and a teenager charged with child pornography in Rio. A police raid of 15 suspects across various states resulted in the seizure of electronic devices, including phones.

This significant intervention underscores ongoing security concerns at large public events and the authorities’ commitment to ensuring safety. The incident highlights the challenges faced in combating extremism and hate-based violence in Brazil.

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