Chances of terrorist attacks in Brazil have increased, officials say

Sao Paulo, Apr 16: Intelligence officials say there's an increasing chance that Brazil could be targeted by Islamic militants this year, as it hosts the Olympic Games.

Luiz Alberto Sallaberry is counterterrorism director for Brazil's National Intelligence Agency.

The state-run news agency Agencia Brasil quotes him as saying that attacks in other countries and the growing number of Brazilians sympathizing with the Islamic State group has increased the possibility a terrorist attack.

Sallaberry was speaking during a public security conference this week about possible threats during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

He says a threatening tweet posted late last year by a French convert to Islam was credible. In the tweet, Maxime Hauchard said Brazil was the Islamic State's next target.

PTI