In a significant development, Brazilian Civil Police have confirmed the arrest of two individuals linked to an alleged bomb attack plot aimed at Lady Gaga's free concert on the renowned Copacabana Beach. The suspects consist of an adult male detained in Rio Grande do Sul and a teenager apprehended in Rio de Janeiro. Both individuals are reported to be fans of the pop icon and were allegedly planning to deploy improvised explosives, including Molotov cocktails, according to law enforcement officials.
Authorities reported that, during the operation, no explosives were discovered. The suspects are believed to be part of an online group that disseminates hate speech and attempts to recruit other teenagers for violent acts. Disturbingly, one of the suspects was found to be in possession of child pornography, as alleged by the police.
The arrests were executed as part of Operation Fake Monsters, a collaborative investigation led by the Brazilian Justice Ministry, Federal Police, and digital intelligence services. This operation aimed to neutralize any potential threats ahead of Lady Gaga's historic performance, which attracted over two million fans to Rio's iconic beachfront.
Despite the serious threat, Lady Gaga's concert went on as scheduled without any incidents. Following the operation, the civil police in Rio de Janeiro released a professionally produced video detailing the police operation, which entailed executing search warrants in several cities, including Rio, Niterói, Duque de Caxias, and Macaé. The police identified individuals who were virtually recruiting participants to carry out attacks involving improvised explosives. The primary motive behind the plan was to gain notoriety on social media, according to a statement released by the civil police.
A representative for Lady Gaga stated that the singer and her team were unaware of the operation until the news broke on Sunday. "We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning," the spokesperson said. Throughout the planning and execution of the concert, there were no known safety concerns, nor did the police or authorities communicate any potential risks to Lady Gaga. Her team worked closely with law enforcement to ensure safety measures were robust and effective.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further details.
— Report contributed by ABC News' Monica Escobedo.
