Tipsheet

Brazil Arrests Group Planning Terrorist Attacks

Brazilian authorities arrested a group they say were plotting "acts of terrorism." Rio de Janeiro will play host to the 2016 Summer Olympics in just two weeks.

Specifics as to what exactly was being planned or any ideology that the group subscribed to has not yet been released. However, one news source said that the group was connected to ISIS--but this has not been confirmed. Islamist groups in Brazil have previously pledged allegiance to ISIS, sparking the fears of authorities.

It was unclear where the operation was taking place or what the specifics of the operation were. Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes was due to hold a news conference on the operation.

Brazil's intelligence agency said on Tuesday it was investigating all threats to the Rio Olympics, which start on Aug. 5, after a presumed Brazilian Islamist group pledged allegiance to IS.

The SITE Intelligence Group that monitors the internet reported the previously unknown group calling itself "Ansar al-Khilafah Brazil" said on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday that it followed IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and had promoted IS propaganda in Arabic, English and Portuguese.

The games will begin on August 5.