The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, in coordination with the justice ministry, announced that they intercepted a scheme aimed at creating chaos during the widely attended event. The group, which allegedly sought fame through social media notoriety, was found to be plotting to use improvised explosives. Details shared by police on X revealed that one adult and a teenager were arrested, with accusations that the group had disseminated hate speech primarily directed at children, adolescents, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
The adult, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, was apprehended for illegal firearm possession in Rio Grande do Sul, while the teenager faced charges for storing child pornography in Rio. Their activities reportedly included promoting radicalization and self-harm among youths as a means to foster a sense of belonging and challenge.
Identifying themselves as "Little Monsters," a term associated with Lady Gaga's fan base, the suspects were under surveillance for their use of coded language that encouraged violent actions among teenagers. This led to the initiation of "Operation Fake Monster," which was launched following intelligence tips from local police indicating a growing online movement advocating violence within youth circles.
In preparation for the concert, which was part of an economic revitalization effort expected to generate approximately $100 million (£75 million) for Rio, a heightened security presence was necessary. Authorities deployed 5,000 officers to ensure the safety of the massive crowd that converged on the beach, with attendees subjected to security screenings, including metal detectors, drones, and facial recognition technology.
This swift action by Brazilian law enforcement highlights their commitment to preventing potential tragedies at large public events.
