Brazilian authorities have detained two individuals accused of plotting a bomb attack at Lady Gaga’s free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, which drew over two million fans.

The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro announced on Sunday that it had foiled a planned explosion targeting the Saturday event, part of an operation dubbed “Fake Monster”—a nod to Gaga’s fanbase, known as "Little Monsters."

According to officials, an adult suspect identified as the main planner and a teenage accomplice were taken into custody. 

Investigators allege the duo attempted to recruit others online to execute attacks using homemade explosives, aiming to gain notoriety on social media platforms.

Police conducted coordinated raids across four Brazilian states—Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso—working alongside the Ministry of Justice.

Felipe Cury, Secretary of the Rio State Police, said evidence pointed to an anti-LGBTQ motive behind the alleged plot. “They clearly stated intentions rooted in discrimination based on sexual orientation,” Cury noted.

Police Chief Luiz Lima added that the suspects’ online activity included hate speech and violent content designed to attract young followers, including minors.

Despite the threat, the concert proceeded without incident. Over 5,000 military and police officers were deployed to secure the beachside venue as fans enjoyed performances including Gaga’s LGBTQ anthem Born This Way.

Lady Gaga’s team released a statement confirming they had been unaware of the potential threat during the event and only learned of the arrests afterward. “We worked closely with local authorities and were confident in the security protocols,” the statement read.

The concert stood out for its accessibility at a time when live music is often prohibitively expensive, making the massive turnout even more significant.

Source: Al Jazeera 

SMS/