Brazilian officials announced Friday the indictment of 12 men who allegedly planned a biochemical terrorist attack at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last month, in a NBC report published late Friday.
Authorities said the dozen Brazilian men were taken in to custody between June and August, some just weeks before the games kicked off. The men have been accused of “realizing preparations for terrorist acts with the purpose of realizing the offense” and other offenses.
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The plot to contaminate one of the city’s water reservoirs was initially described as “absolutely amateur” by the Brazilian justice minister, but is now said to have been more well organized.
Every member of the group had pledge allegiance to an Islamic State offshoot, Brazil charged. The group is believed to be a part of the Jundallah group, which translates to “soldiers of God,” an Islamic State affiliate.
Court documents did not state whether any chemicals, weapons or bomb-making materials were found in their investigation into each individual. However, chat messages between the men had referred to instructions for making homemade bombs. The men also discussed recent terrorist attacks, even celebrating the Orlando nightclub shooting.
They had mulled over a Boston Marathon-like bombing if they were successful with the chemical attack.
All 12 suspects will be formally charged in the next few months with crimes ranging from preparing terrorist acts to integrating a terrorist organization, charges carrying up to 30 years in prison time.
