One of several suspects imprisoned for allegedly planning terrorist attacks at the Rio Olympics in August was found “brain dead” in his cell two days ago.
According to Globo, Valdir Pereira da Rocha had been attacked by fellow inmates at the Public Jail of Varzea Grande in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. He was one of 12 suspects who seemingly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and plotted bomb attacks during the Games.
Da Rocha was declared brain dead six hours following the assault. He remains on life support, according to the report, and his family are left to decide his fate.
The Brazilian was arrested in July of this year and later released in September when he was not named in the police operation. The condition was that he wear an electronic anklet. However, he was arrested for another offence on 16 September and sent to prison on those charges (h/t Globo).
“Those involved participated in an online group denominated ‘the defenders of Sharia’ and were planning to acquire weapons to commit crimes in Brazil and even overseas,” Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes said at the time of the arrests.
The other 11 suspected terrorists are in prison in other neighbouring facilities.