Concert bombing plot against Lady Gaga thwarted
In Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, a dangerous plot to bomb Lady Gaga's sensational concert was foiled on the weekend. Two criminals behind this thwarted conspiracy have landed in custody as per authorities' announcement on Sunday. The star-studded event saw approximately two million people flocking to the iconic coastline, under the close watch of an extensive security team, as per city hall records.
The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice, stated that they had prevented a potential bomb attack during Lady Gaga's show at Copacabana. The sinister scheme was concocted by an infamous group propagating reprehensible speech and promoting the radicalization of youth and self-harm on digital platforms, according to the police.
As part of this malicious plot, the culprits aimed to create a "collective challenge" to gain fame on social networks. This heinous plan targeted children, adolescents, and the LGBTQ+ community — a group that represents a significant number among Lady Gaga's legion of fans in Rio.
The ringleader and mastermind orchestrating the plot was apprehended in Rio Grande do Sul (south), while unlawfully carrying a firearm. Simultaneously, a teenager was detained in Rio de Janeiro. The operation, labeled "Fake Monster," saw the police execute 13 raids in various cities within Rio de Janeiro, as well as in São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso.
Police disclosed that those involved had recruited prospective participants to launch attacks utilizing homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails[2][3].
Post the controversy, Lady Gaga expressed her feelings through a message on social media, omitting any mention of the foiled attack: "Your passion glows so compassionately, your culture is so vivid and unique; I hope you realize how grateful I am to share this unparalleled moment with you."
Her admirers, fondly referred to as "little monsters," took to their digital platforms to express their relief with the police's swift action.
"THANK GOD! This would have horrified more than two million people" declared the LadyGagaFansTogether account on Instagram. Another fan expressed, "I'm literally terrified for her (Lady Gaga) safety."
Felipe Curi, a Civil Police official in Rio, commented that the police acted secretively and without inciting panic. "We performed covertly to prevent the crime from materializing," he stated[5].
The municipal authorities, seeking economic benefits totaling over $100 million, aspire to make this free mega-concert an annual tradition during the off-season to stimulate tourism.
Lady Gaga commenced the spectacular evening, balancing atop a platform over six feet above the stage in a radiant red dress, serenading the enthusiastic crowd with her 2011 hit, "Bloody Mary." The internationally acclaimed pop diva, who hadn't graced Brazil with her presence since a tour in 2012, then performed "Abracadabra," one of theblockbuster songs from her latest album, "Mayhem," released in March.
Halfway through the song, Lady Gaga discarded her crimson attire to unveil another one draped in the colors of the Brazilian flag.
The police, uniting with the Ministry of Justice, revealed the prevention of a potential bomb attack during Lady Gaga's concert at Copacabana, which was planned by a criminal group propagating harmful speech and promoting youth radicalization. This plot aimed to create a "collective challenge" and targeted children, adolescents, and the LGBTQ+ community, a significant portion of Lady Gaga's fanbase in Rio. The operation to apprehend these criminals, labeled "Fake Monster," involved 13 raids in several cities, including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso.
