Brazil Federal Police arrest gang suspected of planning terrorist attack
The Federal Police arrested ten people suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Brazil. The detentions took place today (Jul. 21), 15 days before the Olympic Games are slated to kick off in Rio de Janeiro.
“They've gone from simple comments about the Islamic State and terrorism to preparatory acts,” Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes told the press. In his view, the activities detected, as well as the exchange of emails for the purchase of a AK-47 rifle, could be deemed preparation, which is enough grounds for having those involved arrested.
The detentions took place in 10 states and all of those taken to jail are Brazilian nationals, the minister reported. Moraes went on to describe them as an “amateur cell.”
Brazilian law
Dubbed “Hashtag”, the Federal Police operation was launched Thursday morning (21), and probes into the alleged participation of Brazilians in an international criminal organization as an Islamic State cell in the country. Twelve temporary arrest orders were served, with a 30-day term, possibly extended by another 30. Two other warrants are underway.
Declassified data and telephone conversations reveal signs that “those under scrutiny promoted intolerance based on race, gender, and religion, as well as the use of weapons and guerrilla tactics to meet their goals.”
What the Brazilian law defines as crime regarding terrorism is: to promote, form, integrate, or aid, in person or by means of a middleman, a terrorist organization, and also to perform preparatory acts of terrorism with the unequivocal purpose of carrying out said infraction.
The justice minister further said that the names of the suspects, currently under custody, will not be announced, as the case is classified.
*Ana Cristina Campos contributed to this article.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Brazil Federal Police arrest gang suspected of planning terrorist attack
