Brazilian police foil bomb plot at Lady Gaga's Rio concert
The Brazilian police announced they thwarted a bomb attack planned by a group impersonating Lady Gaga fans during the artist's Saturday concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. According to media reports, the attack targeted children, teenagers, and the LGBTQ+ community. The free concert attracted over two million people.
What do you need to know?
- Brazilian police, in cooperation with local authorities, conducted Operation "Fake Monster" to prevent the bomb attack at Lady Gaga's concert.
- The operation included 15 search and arrest warrants in nine cities, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul.
- The group's leader was arrested for illegal possession of weapons, and a teenager was detained for possessing child pornography.
Under the banner "Fake Monster," the Rio de Janeiro police conducted an operation that, as reported, prevented the bomb attack during Lady Gaga's Saturday concert on Copacabana Beach.
Authorities reported that the suspects recruited participants to carry out attacks using improvised explosive devices and Molotov cocktails, with the plan aimed at gaining publicity on social media.
They planned an attack at Lady Gaga's concert. The group's leader and a teenager were arrested
The alleged mastermind of the operation was arrested for illegal possession of firearms in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, while the teenager was detained in Rio for possessing child pornography.
The individuals responsible also promoted the radicalisation of teenagers, including self-harm and violence-laden content "as a form of belonging and challenge for young people".
The Ministry of Justice announced that the suspects posed as Lady Gaga fans, commonly known as "Little Monsters." Thus, the entire operation was named "Fake Monster."
Over two million people at Lady Gaga's concert. Advanced security measures
During Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana Beach, advanced security measures were implemented. There were approximately 5,000 police officers present, as well as metal detectors, drones, and facial recognition cameras. Additionally, military police confiscated over 200 sharp objects at the event entrances.
After the concert, which went off without incidents, the Brazilian police expressed satisfaction with how the event unfolded. Lady Gaga's concert, dubbed "Gagacabana," attracted over two million people, breaking the attendance record previously set by Madonna.
The event aimed not only to entertain but also to support Rio de Janeiro's economy, generating approximately £82 million (€96 million) in revenue.
