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Brazil Arrests 10 Terror Suspects Accused Of Plotting Olympics Attacks

The arrests were in the country's southern state of Parana. Authorities say the suspects pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Brazil Arrests 10 Terror Suspects Accused Of Plotting Olympics Attacks
Getty Images / Mario Tama
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Brazilian authorities have arrested at least 10 people believed to be plotting terrorist attacks at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

"This is a first for Brazil. This would be the first time they're arresting a group on suspicion of plotting terror acts," CNN's Shasta Darlington reports.

Authorities say the suspects, all Brazilian nationals, pledged allegiance to ISIS online but were not part of a larger, organized cell in the area.

The arrests took place in the southern state of Parana, about 15 hours away from Rio de Janeiro where the games will be held in roughly two weeks. 

The Olympic Games haven't seen a large-scale terrorist attack in several years. The last one was when a bomber attacked the 1996 games in Atlanta.

Before that in 1972, terrorists took Israeli athletes hostage in Munich and killed 11.

Security has been a major issue at the 2016 Olympics. While officials say a terror attack is unlikely, local police aren't happy they're not getting paid as the country undergoes a massive financial crisis.

Several reports say robbers have attacked beachgoers and tourists near the Olympics site and those numbers could go up once everyone arrives for the games. 

Brazilian authorities say the arrested suspects didn't mention specific targets. Warrants are out for the arrests of at least two more suspects.

This video includes a clip from CCTV and images from Government Press Office / CC BY 3.0 and Getty Images. Music provided courtesy of APM Music.