At least, that’s the goal of the Brazilian federal police, which have arrested 10 people affiliated with the Islamic State group and accused of planning “the greatest threat to the Games”, Época reported. Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes was due to hold a news conference on the operation.
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“It was an absolutely amateur cell, with no preparation at all, a disorganized cell”, the minister said, adding that authorities chose to intervene when the group started to plan actions.
“Given the crisis in Rio de Janeiro, there is substantial risk of serious problems during the Games including organizational and infrastructure failures, violence and insecurity, and even the threat of a terrorist attack”, Rocha said.
Maurício Rocha, a professor of political science at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, told Around the Rings that a variety of different crises are weighing more on Brazilian’s minds leading to the lack of support less than 20 days out from the Olympics. The leader of the group was found in Parana. Officials claim that the Islamic State sympathizers were planning Paris-style attacks at the Olympics games, but the group’s plans were foiled by police.
A new poll (you’ll have to translate the page) released on Tuesday says that half of 2,792 Brazilians interviewed are not in favor of hosting the upcoming Summer Games, which begin August 5.
Allegedly members of a group called Defenders of Sharia, those arrested are believed to have been in online contact via social media with members of Islamic State.
“There is a concern, it has to be taken very seriously, but I also have a lot of faith that the Brazilian authorities are doing everything they can and we have to give them credit”, said Sajjan Gohel, global security director at the Asia Pacific Foundation. They go on to note that once in Brazil, weapons could easily be obtained in area slums for a small price.
Last week the top military aide for Brazil’s interim government said concerns over terrorism had “reached a higher level” after the attack in Nice, France.
Officials did not raise the country’s terror alert level Thursday following the raids.
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Last May, police killed 40 people, 90 percent more than the same period past year, the Public Security Institute of Brazil said.
