Brazil police thwart bomb attack on Lady Gaga concert

Brazilian police stated they thwarted a bomb assault deliberate for Girl Gaga’s live performance on Copacabana seashore in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, in co-ordination with the justice ministry, stated suspects had recruited members to hold out assaults utilizing improvised explosives and the plan was geared toward gaining notoriety on social media.

The particular person answerable for the plan and an adolescent had been arrested, the police stated.

Girl Gaga’s group stated they discovered concerning the bomb menace solely from media stories the morning after the gig. A crowd of greater than two million individuals gathered for the live performance, which was free to attend.

Police stated the group that deliberate the assault had been spreading hate speech, primarily in opposition to youngsters, adolescents and the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

The alleged mastermind was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm within the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, whereas {the teenager} was detained for storing baby pornography in Rio.

These accountable had been additionally selling the radicalisation of youngsters, together with self-harm and violent content material “as a form of belonging and challenge among young people”.

A spokesperson for Girl Gaga informed The Hollywood Reporter: “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning.

“Previous to and in the course of the present, there have been no recognized security considerations, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Girl Gaga concerning any potential dangers.”

The justice ministry said the suspects had identified themselves as Lady Gaga fans, known widely as “Little Monsters”.

Police issued search warrants across the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo, and electronic devices and other materials were seized.

“Operation Pretend Monster” was launched following a tip-off from Rio state police intelligence, which uncovered online groups encouraging violence among teenagers using coded language and extremist symbolism.

The concert was paid for by the city in an attempt to revitalise Rio’s economy, with expectations it could bring in $100m (£75m).

In a massive security operation, 5,000 officers were deployed and attendees had to pass through metal detectors. Drones and facial recognition cameras were also used to police the event.

Lady Gaga, who last performed in Brazil in 2012, took the stage as part of a tour to promote her eighth album, Mayhem.

The singer wore Brazil-themed costumes for some of her acts, with outfits inspired by the national football team.

“You waited for greater than 10 years for me,” an emotional Girl Gaga informed the massive crowd, holding out a Brazilian flag.