‘Welcome to hell’: Thousands of protesters warn Olympics will not be safe as they march through Rio after Games security firm is FIRED for failing to hire enough guards with just five days to go until the opening ceremony
2,500 screening security roles yet to be filled, it has been revealed
They will now be filled by soldiers and ex-policemen say Brazil government
Comes after £4 million security contract with Artel was cancelled
41,000 troops already scheduled to help provide Games security
Thousands protested against impeached President Dilma Rousseff
By VICTORIA FINAN
DailyMail.com
31 July 2016
With just five days before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Rio, only 500 out of 3,000 security screening guards roles have been filled – and the company responsible for filling them has been fired.
Officials have begun drafting in soldiers and ex-policemen to help fill the empty posts, it has been revealed.
Brazil authorities terminated a £4 million deal with Artel, a company who have no previous experience of securing huge sporting events, after it emerged that they could not fill the roles themselves.
The revelation comes as thousands protested on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach demanding the ouster of suspended President Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached in May for allegedly violating budget laws.
Some 41,000 troops are already scheduled to help provide security at the Games, reported The Sun.
Justice Minister Alexandre Moraes said that members of the federal government’s National Force, along with active and retired police from Rio and other states, will comprise the corps of 3,000 people screening fans and running metal detectors at Olympic venues.
Moraes has said that the main security concern is crime against visitors. But fears of potential terror attacks grew after Brazil last week arrested several people who allegedly swore allegiance to the Islamic State militant group and supposedly planned to carry out attacks.
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