RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian police said on Saturday they had arrested 19 people the day before the World Cup final accused of vandalism in host city Rio de Janeiro prior to the event.
A spokesman said police had issued arrest warrants for 28 people - nine remain on the run.
Two of those arrested are minors, they added.
Those arrested could face up to three years in jail if they are found to have belonged to an armed group.
Brazil has seen waves of protests over the past 13 months, starting ahead of last year's Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up.
The initial protests, generally peaceful, drew around a million people into the streets, initially over transport fare hikes.
But they grew as people voiced increasing anger at the $11-billion (about R117.8-billion) cost of the World Cup in a country needing major investment in areas such as health services and education. Recent months saw radical elements known as Black Bloc infiltrate the protesters and, although the marches progressively drew far fewer people, some ended in urban violence.
Police said they had impounded a pistol, an explosive device and a stash of drugs as well as masks to protect marchers from tear gas.
In all, 80 police were involved in a surveillance operation in Rio, the southeastern resort town of Buzios and Porto Alegre in the south.
One of those arrested, Eliza Quadros Pinto, was arrested in a similar operation on June 11 the day before the tournament kicked off.
The month-long tournament saw 100000 police and 50000 troops mobilised across the 12 venues. - AFP
19 nabbed on eve of World Cup final
RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian police said on Saturday they had arrested 19 people the day before the World Cup final accused of vandalism in host city Rio de Janeiro prior to the event.
A spokesman said police had issued arrest warrants for 28 people - nine remain on the run.
Two of those arrested are minors, they added.
Those arrested could face up to three years in jail if they are found to have belonged to an armed group.
Brazil has seen waves of protests over the past 13 months, starting ahead of last year's Confederations Cup, a World Cup warm-up.
The initial protests, generally peaceful, drew around a million people into the streets, initially over transport fare hikes.
But they grew as people voiced increasing anger at the $11-billion (about R117.8-billion) cost of the World Cup in a country needing major investment in areas such as health services and education. Recent months saw radical elements known as Black Bloc infiltrate the protesters and, although the marches progressively drew far fewer people, some ended in urban violence.
Police said they had impounded a pistol, an explosive device and a stash of drugs as well as masks to protect marchers from tear gas.
In all, 80 police were involved in a surveillance operation in Rio, the southeastern resort town of Buzios and Porto Alegre in the south.
One of those arrested, Eliza Quadros Pinto, was arrested in a similar operation on June 11 the day before the tournament kicked off.
The month-long tournament saw 100000 police and 50000 troops mobilised across the 12 venues. - AFP
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