Police in Brazil have prevented what could have been a wide-scale terrorist attack at the upcoming Rio Olympics. De Moraes said the suspects are all Brazilian nationals, and that one minor was mentioned in the conversations. Ten people were arrested in a nationwide swoop codenamed Operation Hashtag, and two more were detained, the Justice Ministry said.
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Adminstrative director Elen Moreira says: “Even though there has been this threat for many years and no attack has taken place, I think now it could happen”.
Brazilian police are already making arrests over suspected terrorists.
“Apparently…it was an absolutely amateur cell with no preparation, ” de Moraes said. “A few days ago they said they should start practicing martial arts, for example”.
Authorities had been observing the group’s online activity for several weeks following the exchange of messages and videos praising IS, and that monitoring intensified after direct contact was made with the terrorist organization, De Moraes said.
– ReutersBrazilian marines take part in a security exercise ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, July 21, 2016.
“These are internet affirmations on social networks”, Josegrei told a news conference.
Brazilian and USA officials have raised concern over the disappearance of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Jihad Diyab, after he had resettled in neighboring Uruguay, saying he could now be in Brazil.
Brazil’s intelligence agency are taking precautions after a jihadi messaging channel called for its followers to target the Olympics.
Moraes says police acted because the group had been discussing the use of weapons and guerrilla tactics to potentially launch an attack during the Olympics, which begin August 5. Brazil has one of the world’s largest Arab diasporas, mostly Christians of Syrian and Lebanese origins.
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After last week’s attack in Nice, France, Brazilian authorities said they would step up security measures for the Games by adding further roadblocks and cordons and frisking more visitors in Rio de Janeiro.
