Investigated for connection with Hezbollah says in statement that he was recruited

One of those investigated by the Federal Police for planning attacks on Jewish community buildings in Brazil confirmed in a statement that he was recruited by the radical Islamic group Hezbollah, according to the investigation. CNN .

This suspect is one of 11 suspects targeted by search and seizure warrants this Wednesday in Brasília, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Two others were the subject of an arrest warrant.

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) was also called to arrest two Brazilians in Lebanon. They are now considered international fugitives.

Operation Trapiche, launched by the Federal Police on Wednesday, was launched to prevent the organization of terrorist acts in Brazil, in addition to gathering evidence of possible recruitment of Brazilians to carry out extremist acts on national territory.

The operation began after joint intelligence work between the Federal Police, the Israeli spy agency Mossad and other international agencies of the United States. According to the PF investigation, Brazilians, linked to Hezbollah, were preparing attacks on Jewish community buildings in the country.

The two arrests were made in São Paulo. One of the detainees was seized at Guarulhos Airport, with US$5,000, after disembarking from a trip to Lebanon. The police believe that he arrived with the intention of passing on information to his companion and continuing the attacks.

According to Brazilian law, both recruiters and recruits must respond for the crimes of establishing or joining terrorist organizations, in addition to carrying out preparatory acts of terrorism. The maximum penalty can be up to 15 years and 6 months in prison, without the possibility of bail or amnesty, as the crimes provided for in the Terrorism Law are equated with heinous crimes.