NEWS BRIEF Brazilian police arrested 10 people they say were planning to strike at next month’s Rio Olympics in the name of the Islamic State.
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De Moraes said the group was not an organized cell, calling it “absolutely amateur – with no preparation”.
“Those involved participated in an online group denominated “the defenders of Sharia” and were planning to acquire weapons to commit crimes in Brazil and even overseas”, Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said at a news conference.
This week, Brazil’s intelligence agency said it was reviewing all threats after a jihadi messaging channel called for its followers to target the Olympics, which start August 5.
While many in the United States would think that Rio de Janeiro is only in South America and therefore in the Eastern Time Zone, Rio de Janeiro is actually one hour ahead of the Eastern Time Zone in the Brazilian Time Zone. “A few days ago they said they should start practising martial arts, for example”.
Mr Moraes said authorities seized computers, mobile phones and other equipment, but no weapons. The group did not have direct contact with the Islamic State, though some of its members had made “pro forma” declarations of allegiance to the militant group, he said without elaborating. Several were allegedly trying to secure financing from IS.
“It’s not clear whether we are talking about young people getting carried away or if they were going to move forward with actions”, Oliveira said.
Group members had attempted to contact a weapons supplier in neighbouring Paraguay to get AK 47 assault rifles, but there was no evidence of any being bought, the BBC reports. The court-approved intercept of the communications found the group had sworn an allegiance to the Islamic State.
Brazilians are allowed to possess small firearms but must have a license and training to do so.
Last week, a top military aide in Brazil said concerns about terrorism had “reached a higher level” after the Bastille Day attack in Nice.
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Officials did not raise the country’s terror alert level Thursday following the raids. Authorities have said 85,000 police officers and soldiers will be patrolling during the competitions.
