Arrest of Thiago José Silva Barboza de Paula

In December 2024, Brazilian authorities arrested Thiago José Silva Barboza de Paula in São Carlos, São Paulo, on suspicion of maintaining contacts with the Islamic State (ISIS) and recruiting young individuals for the group.
Background
The Islamic State (ISIS) is a transnational jihadist militant group that emerged in the Middle East and has sought to expand its influence worldwide. While ISIS has primarily operated in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia, there have been reports of its ideological reach and operational activities in South America. The group's presence in the region is largely attributed to online radicalization, recruitment efforts, and isolated incidents of individuals pledging allegiance to ISIS.
In 2016, a group named Ansar al-Khilafah Brazil emerged, pledging allegiance to ISIS and threatening the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Brazilian authorities arrested 10 members of this group in July 2016, disrupting their plans.
in 2018, Brazilian authorities charged 11 individuals with attempting to establish an ISIS cell in the country.
Arrest
Thiago José Silva Barboza de Paula was arrested in December 2024 in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil, on suspicion of having ties to the Islamic State (ISIS) and recruiting young individuals for the group. Brazilian authorities launched the operation based on intelligence indicating his involvement in extremist activities. During the arrest, law enforcement officers reportedly found fake weapons, chemicals for making explosives, and a machete at his residence. Investigators believe Barboza de Paula was active in an online group called Comando 860, which allegedly disseminated ISIS propaganda and shared materials on guerrilla tactics and explosives manufacturing.<ref name=":0" />
Silva Barboza de Paula faces charges under the anti-terrorism law 13.260, enacted in Brazil in March 2016, where the promotion or integration to terrorist organizations is typified as terrorism, for which he could have to pay a fine and could receive between five and eight years in prison.<ref name=":0" />

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