Several arrested in Brazil over Olympic terror attack fears

Brazilian police arrested 10 people who allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group on social media and discussed possible attacks during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, officials said today.

View of the Olympic rings placed at Madureira Park. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said in the capital, Brasilia, that 10 suspects had been detained and two more were being sought.

All are Brazilian, and one is a minor. The gender of the people was not given.

Police acted because the group discussed using weapons and guerrilla tactics to potentially launch an attack during the Olympics, which begins on August 5, Moraes said.

Brazilian marines disembark on Flamengo Beach, near the site that will host the sailing competitions of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, during a drill in Rio de Janeiro. Picture: AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

However “they were complete amateurs and ill-prepared” to actually launch at attack, Moraes said.

“A few days ago they said they should start practicing martial arts, for example.”

Still, Moraes said even disorganized groups should be taken seriously.

The arrests were made in 10 different states, including Sao Paulo and Parana in the southern part of the country, and it was not clear whether the suspects knew each other beyond their online contacts. Moraes said there were no specific targets for an attack.

Brazilian marines disembark on Flamengo Beach, near the site that will host the sailing competitions of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, during a drill in Rio de Janeiro. Picture: AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images

Moraes said they had all been “baptized” as Islamic State sympathizers online and that none had actually traveled to Syria or Iraq, the group’s stronghold, or received any training. Several were allegedly trying to secure financing from the group, known by the acronym ISIS.

The justice minister added that one of the suspects communicated with a Brazilian store in an alleged attempt to by an AK-47 assault rifle, apparently the most concrete action taken toward a possible attack.

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.

Security has emerged as the top concern during the Olympics, including violence possibly spilling over from Rio’s hundreds of slums.

Authorities have said they will be prepared and that some 85,000 police and soldiers will be patrolling during the competitions.

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