World

Rio Olympics: 10 arrested in Brazil over planned 'terror plot'

The sun rises behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro ahead of next month's Olympics. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press
The sun rises behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro ahead of next month's Olympics. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press The sun rises behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro ahead of next month's Olympics. Picture by Felipe Dana, Associated Press

BRAZILIAN police have arrested 10 people who allegedly pledged allegiance to Islamic State on social media and discussed possible attacks during the Rio Olympics.

Justice minister Alexandre de Moraes said 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 begin on August 5, Mr Moraes said.

However "they were complete amateurs and ill-prepared" to actually launch an attack, Mr Moraes said. "A few days ago they said they should start practising martial arts, for example."

But Mr Moraes said even disorganised 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. Mr Moraes said there were no specific targets for an attack.

Mr Moraes said they had all been "baptised" as IS sympathisers online and none had actually travelled to Syria or Iraq, the group's stronghold, or received any training. Several were allegedly trying to secure financing from the group.

The justice minister said one of the suspects communicated with a shop in Paraguay via email in an alleged attempt to by an AK47 assault rifle, apparently the most concrete action taken towards a possible attack. That email communication was intercepted by police.

Brazilians are allowed to possess small firearms but must have a licence and training to do so. Only members of the military may possess assault weapons such as the AK47, although those and other firearms are commonplace, especially in slums controlled by drug gangs.

Mr Moraes said authorities seized computers, mobile phones and other equipment, but no weapons.