American convicted in Brazil for terror plots against Sweden
An American citizen has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in Brazil for planning terrorist attacks on Jewish institutions in Sweden. The man was arrested in São Paulo and charged with recruiting and plotting violent acts. The ruling highlights international cooperation against terrorism.
A 32-year-old American citizen, whose identity is not fully disclosed for security reasons, was sentenced on October 15 in a Brazilian court in São Paulo to 15 years in prison. According to the indictment, the man, who entered Brazil on a tourist visa in early 2023, planned to carry out terrorist attacks on synagogues and other Jewish targets in Sweden. He was accused of using social media to recruit sympathizers and coordinate logistics for the attacks.
Brazilian federal police arrested the man in an apartment in São Paulo following tips from international intelligence services, including Sweden's Security Police (Säpo). 'He was in the process of organizing a network of individuals to carry out these acts, with Sweden as the primary target,' stated prosecutor Maria Silva in court. The man denies the charges, claiming his activities were 'hypothetical discussions' online.
The background of the case dates back to 2022, when the man reportedly began expressing radical views on platforms like Telegram. He traveled to Brazil to evade U.S. authorities but was tracked by global surveillance systems. The sentence is based on evidence including chat logs, travel documents, and testimonies from recruited individuals. No attacks were carried out, but the plans were deemed an imminent threat.
Sweden's Foreign Ministry welcomed the ruling and emphasized the importance of cooperation with Brazil. 'This shows how borderless terrorism is and the need for strong alliances,' said a spokesperson. The case raises questions about online radicalization and how Western countries handle threats from abroad. The man can appeal within 30 days.