A terror attack targeting the French delegation at the Rio 2016Olympics has been foiled by security services, it has emerged.
French military intelligence was alerted to the alleged plot by a Brazilian national by “partners”, according to a report into the Paris terror attacks in January and November, which killed 147.
No other details about the plans were released and the information was not shared with Brazil’s intelligence agency Abin.
“We were not the source of information and the Brazilian intelligence agency (Abin) was not officially informed either of this matter,” a spokesman told AFP.
The French inquiry report was published as security services in Rio de Janeiro prepared to stage a simulated attack this weekend to test counter-terrorism response plans.
Some 500 officers, troops and first responders will be involved in the exercise at Deodoro station near one of the venue clusters in the north of the city on SaturdayJULY16.
Earlier this month, Alexandre Moraes, justice minister, said a terror attack during the Olympics was a “possibility” but not a “probability”.
This week, a man from Pakistan was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on an airport in the capital, Brasília, but he was realised after federal police officers found no evidence of a plot.
According to reports, he had been reported by his Brazilian wife in what appeared to be a domestic dispute.
In the meantime, Brazil’s ministry of defence confirmed it was boosting military presence in the host city at the request of acting governor Francisco Dornelles.
The number of troops deployed in Rio for the Games rose from 18,000 to 21,000, reaching a total of 41,000 including those in the five football host cities.
The total number of security personnel including police will be more than 85,000 – more than double the number for London 2012.
“If necessary, we will deploy more,” said Raul Jungmann, defence minister. “There will be no lack of security in Rio de Janeiro.”
From July 15 there will be 6,000 soldiers on the streets of Rio with the defence operation officially beginning when the Athletes’ Village opens on July 24. It will include 12 ships, 70 armoured vehicles, and 28 helicopters.
Intelligence officers from the UK, US, Spain, Belgium, France, Argentina and Paraguay will also support Brazilian agencies at an Integrated Anti-Terror Centre in Rio while there will also be other centres set up in football host cities and in the capital.
“In all areas, spheres and predetermined places inside and outside the arenas we will have a defence, security and intelligence scheme that will meet all the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), ensuring security and peace in the hosting of these Games,” Mr Jungmann added.
telegraph.co.uk
