Brazilian federal and civil police say they foiled a planned bomb attack targeting Lady Gaga's free concert on Copacabana Beach, a massive event that drew over two million fans on Saturday night. Authorities arrested two suspects and conducted raids in multiple cities, part of a wider investigation into a group allegedly plotting to harm children, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and adolescents in attendance.
The arrests were carried out under "Operation Fake Monsters," a joint initiative involving Brazil's Justice Ministry, Federal Police, and digital intelligence units. Police said one adult suspect was detained in Rio Grande do Sul, and a second suspect - a teenager - was arrested in Rio de Janeiro. Officials allege the group promoted hate speech and encouraged violence, attempting to mobilize teenagers via social media to carry out the bombing using Molotov cocktails and improvised explosive devices.
"There were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks," a spokesperson for the singer told The Associated Press. The artist's team said they only learned of the alleged threat through media reports the following morning. "Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place."
Police stated that the suspects intended to frame the act as a "collective challenge" to gain notoriety online. In addition to the two arrests, authorities served 15 search and seizure warrants targeting nine individuals across multiple cities, including Rio, Niterói, Duque de Caxias, and Macaé. Electronic devices and other materials were seized, though no explosives were reportedly found.
One of the suspects is accused of being the ringleader behind the plot. The second individual, a minor, was also charged with possession of child pornography, police said.
The event marked the largest concert of Lady Gaga's career, surpassing the 1.6 million who attended Madonna's free show on the same beach last year. Anticipation for the performance had been building for days, with fans arriving early to catch glimpses of the stage setup and possibly the pop icon herself.
"Thank you Rio for waiting for me to come back," Lady Gaga wrote on Instagram following the show. "Thank you little monsters all over the world. I love you. I will never forget this moment."
