Brazil arrests 10 suspected Islamic State members 'planning Rio Olympic terrorist attacks'

RT
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 15:22 UTC

© Lunae Parracho / Reuters

Interim Brazilian President Michel Temer has called an emergency cabinet meeting, after authorities arrested 10 alleged Islamic State members, who were planning to carry out acts of terror during the Olympic Games in Rio, which begin next month.

The police operation, codenamed 'Hashtag,' took place across nine states, with suspects arrested in Sao Paulo and Parana. Justice Minister Alexandre Moraes told a news conference on Thursday that all the detainees were Brazilian nationals.

The police operation took place across nine states.

Judicial authorities in the state of Parana claimed that intercepted data and telephone calls revealed that a terrorist cell was planning to use "weapons and guerrilla tactics" to achieve its aims. It says that 12 warrants have been issued for an initial 30 days, which could be extended if charges are substantiated.

Comment: Fears increase for Rio Olympics terror attack as Brazilian extremists become first group in South America to pledge allegiance to ISIS leader

Are the 'Contras' returning to Central and South America? Looks like American 'foreign policy' might be coming full circle!