Two Arrested in Connection to Planned Attack
Brazilian authorities announced Sunday that they successfully thwarted a planned bombing at pop superstar Lady Gaga’s concert in Rio de Janeiro, an event that drew an estimated 2.5 million people to Copacabana Beach on Saturday—the largest concert led by a female artist of all time.
Working closely with Brazil’s Justice Ministry, Rio de Janeiro’s state police intervened to prevent the attack, which was allegedly orchestrated by a group known for spreading hate speech against the LGBTQ community. Law enforcement officials stated the group aimed to radicalize and recruit teenagers to carry out violent acts using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosive devices.
Plot Framed as a Social Media “Challenge”
Investigators revealed that the planned attack was conceived as a “collective challenge” intended to generate online notoriety. “The plan was treated as a ‘collective challenge’ with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media,” police said in a public statement, emphasizing the dangerous influence of extremist online communities.
Nationwide Raids and Arrests
Two individuals have been arrested in connection to the plot. The alleged ringleader was detained in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on charges related to illegal weapons possession. A teenager was also taken into custody in Rio de Janeiro on charges of child pornography, according to police.
Authorities carried out raids on 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, seizing mobile phones and other electronic equipment as part of the investigation.
Lady Gaga’s Team Responds
In response to the news, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga issued a statement emphasizing that there were no known safety concerns before or during the concert. “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks. Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”
The incident underscores growing concerns about online radicalization and its potential to incite real-world violence, particularly at high-profile events. Despite the threat, the concert proceeded without incident, with millions of fans gathering to celebrate music and unity on Rio’s iconic shoreline.
Keep up with this developing story with us on Que Onda Magazine.