Rio De Janeiro: In a testimony to growing terror activities in all over the world, Brazilian police have arrested a group of 12 members who allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State via social media and also discussed possible attacks during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, officials said Thursday.
Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said in the capital, Brasilia, that 10 suspects had been arrested and two more were being sought. All 12 are Brazilian and one is a minor. The gender of the people was not given.
Police acted because the group discussed the use of weapons and guerrilla tactics to potentially launch an attack during the Olympics, which begin Aug. 5, Moraes said.
"They were complete amateurs and ill-prepared" to actually launch an attack, Moraes said. "A few days ago they said they should start practicing martial arts, for example."
Still, Moraes said even disorganized groups should be taken seriously.
The arrests were made in 10 different states, including Sao Paulo and Parana. Moraes said there were no specific targets for an attack.
Last week, the top military aide for Brazil's interim government said concerns over terrorism had "reached a higher level" after the attack in Nice, France.
(With inputs from AP)
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