Authorities in Brazil have made two arrests linked to a potential bombing plot targeting a free Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro. The event, held at Copacabana Beach on Saturday, was the biggest of Gaga’s career, attracting around 2.5 million enthusiastic fans.
Rio police, led by Secretary Felipe Cury, suggested that the suspects aimed to attack the LGBTQ+ community, stating that they had expressed intentions to carry out violence at the concert motivated by sexual orientation. Police chief Luiz Lima revealed that the suspects had been active online, spreading hate speech and violent content to attract young audiences, including teenagers and children.
Despite the arrests occurring shortly before the concert, the show proceeded without incident.
This has led to questions regarding the threat’s credibility, especially since significant security issues can result in the cancellation of large-scale events, as seen with previous concerts, such as those by Taylor Swift in Vienna. Authorities decided not to inform the public of the plot at the time, seeking to prevent panic and misinformation.
A spokesperson for Lady Gaga reported that the team learned about the threat through the media, noting that there had been no communication from law enforcement concerning any safety risks during the concert. Lady Gaga’s team worked closely with police to ensure safety measures were in place, and security was notably tight, with 5,200 military and police personnel present.
In connection with the plot, one suspect, identified as a leader based in Rio Grande do Sul, was arrested for illegal weapons possession. A teenager in Rio was also apprehended on charges related to child pornography. Police claimed that the group sought to recruit youths for coordinated attacks utilizing explosives and Molotov cocktails. The Ministry of Justice characterised the group as a threat to public order, revealing that they had falsely presented themselves as “Little Monsters,” a term associated with Lady Gaga’s fans, to draw in vulnerable individuals.
Authorities executed raids on 15 suspects’ homes, confiscating electronic devices but reportedly not locating any explosives. One individual was noted to have a religious motive, claiming Lady Gaga was a Satanist. Following the successful concert, Lady Gaga expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support from the crowd, emphasising the pride she felt to perform for the Brazilian audience.
Gaga’s decision to hold a free concert is contrasted with rising ticket costs seen in live music globally, marking a distinct choice as fans often face exorbitant prices for live performances. This event builds on a tradition in Rio, as Madonna performed to a similarly massive audience at Copacabana Beach last year.