Brazilian authorities announced on Sunday the arrest of two individuals in connection with an alleged plot to detonate explosives during Lady Gaga’s free concert at Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro. The concert, held on Saturday, attracted an estimated 2.5 million fans and was a milestone in Lady Gaga’s career. Despite the foiled threat, the event proceeded without interruption, reports AP/ UNB.
Felipe Cury, Rio’s police secretary, revealed that the suspects targeted the concert due to its association with the controversial LGBTQ community. "The attack was intended to target the Lady Gaga concert because of sexual orientation," Cury said in a press briefing.
Rio’s police chief Luiz Lima further stated that the suspects had been disseminating hate speech and violent propaganda online, attempting to recruit young followers for their cause. While authorities were aware of the threat, they chose not to make the information public to prevent panic.
Lady Gaga’s spokesperson confirmed that the team was unaware of the plot until it was reported in the media. The singer’s team had worked closely with law enforcement to ensure safety measures were in place, and the concert was carried out as planned.
Security at the event was robust, with over 5,200 military and police officers deployed across Copacabana Beach, where Lady Gaga performed her famous hits, including “Born This Way.”
The two arrested individuals included a man from Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons charges and a teenager from Rio on child pornography charges. The group behind the plot was allegedly recruiting teenagers to carry out attacks with improvised explosives. Authorities conducted raids across Brazil, confiscating electronic devices, but no explosive materials were found.
The Justice Ministry described the group as posing a risk to public order and noted that they falsely presented themselves as “Little Monsters,” Lady Gaga’s fan nickname, to recruit teenagers. One suspect allegedly cited religious motives, calling Lady Gaga a “Satanist.”
Despite the alarming threat, Lady Gaga expressed her gratitude for the crowd and shared a heartfelt post on Instagram. She praised the Brazilian audience for their vibrant culture and the unforgettable experience of performing at such a monumental event.
This concert, unlike many others with soaring ticket prices, stood out as a free performance for millions, further solidifying Lady Gaga’s connection with her global fan base.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
