Brazil: Police claim bomb attack plot targeting Lady Gaga’s Rio concert foiled

Brazilian police on Sunday claimed they thwarted a bomb attack planned for American singer Lady Gaga’s concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, which drew 2 million people.

The concert, which was held on Saturday, was one of the biggest events hosted by the city in recent times.

The event was reportedly free to attend.

Police said two people have been arrested.

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state posted on X: “The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, together with the Ministry of Justice, prevented a bomb attack that was to occur at Lady Gaga’s concert in Copacabana, South Zone of Rio de Janeiro.”

Police said: “The person responsible for the plan was arrested and a teenager was apprehended.”

Police said the group that planned the attack had been spreading hate speech, mainly against children, adolescents and the LGBTQ+ community, reported BBC.

According to media reports, the country’s Justice Ministry said the suspects identified themselves as ‘Little Monsters’, the name by which Lady Gaga fans are widely known.

“Operation Fake 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, reported BBC.

Lady Gaga’s Concert

Lady Gaga, one of the popular American pop icons, held the concert as part of her ‘Mayhem’ tour.

She had earlier performed in the country in 2012.

Announcing her concert in Rio, Lady Gaga had wrote on Instagram in February: “It’s a great honor to be asked to sing for Rio.”