Colombian man, 22, arrested for 'planning a terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Costa Rica' after sinister online messages
POLICE have arrested a Colombian man on suspicion of planning a terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Costa Rica.
A manhunt was launched on Saturday after threatening messages were posted in Arabic on a webpage for the concert organisers, Mail Online reports.
The suspect, with the last names Caicedo Lopez, was held in a 6am raid on his flat in Tibas, near the capital San Jose, yesterday.
Officers seized two mobile phones allegedly used to make the threats.
It comes two months after suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a nail bomb in the foyer of the Manchester Arena at an Ariana Grande concert.
Twenty-two people were killed in the carnage – including an eight-year-old girl – and more than 100 others were injured.
Cops in Costa Rica are said to have feared a copycat attack was being plotted so launched a frantic search for the suspect.
The manhunt was lead by the Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) and the raid was carried out by its Special Tactical Response Unit.
MOST READ IN NEWS
spaced out Prince Andrew 'wants shamed actor Kevin Spacey to help him clear his name'
Inside 'Little Beirut' estate where locals build FORTS to save homes from yobs
Exact time Storm Malik to hit TODAY as danger to life warning issued
Mum DEFENDS thug son who left girlfriend Angel disabled in shock statement
The director of the OIJ, Walter Espinoza, said: "The original threat was in the Arabic language and indicated that there could be a situation of danger or an attack at the concert. It was a very sensitive situation."
Police launched the dawn raid after tracing the threats to the suspect's home.
The investigation was carried out jointly with the Department of Intelligence and National Security and the Ministry of Public Security.
Caicedo Lopez was described as having no police record in Costa Rica. He has now been handed over to state prosecutors.
Ariana Grande, 23, later performed for 14,000 fans as planned at the Parque Viva.
Organisers said in a statement: "The operation was carried out with total professionalism."
Source: Read Full Article