Argentina arrests man over threats against Pope Leo XIV
Police seized three phones and a drone during the raid, and the suspect faces provisional charges of anonymous threats and public intimidation.
Argentine authorities arrested a 49-year-old man accused of threatening Pope Leo XIV hours before the pontiff arrived in the country on Sunday, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
The State Intelligence Secretariat, known as SIDE, said the arrest came less than 24 hours after officials received intelligence about the threats.
The Argentine Federal Police carried out the operation under orders from Judge Adrian Gonzalez Charvay of the Federal Court in Campana.
The investigation began Friday afternoon, after the Federal Police's Counter-Terrorism Investigation Unit flagged a threatening phone call targeting the pope's life.
Cyber and field analysts then located a residence linked to the suspect, and officers took him into custody during a raid there.
Officers seized three mobile phones, including the device allegedly used to make the call, along with a drone whose operational capabilities are still under investigation.
The man has been provisionally charged with making anonymous threats and public intimidation with terrorist intent.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Argentina on Sunday after a visit to Montevideo, Uruguay.
His itinerary has him remaining in the country until Nov. 11, when he is scheduled to leave from Ezeiza International Airport for Lima, Peru.
The trip is the first papal visit to Argentina in 39 years, and President Javier Milei declared it a matter of national interest.
Localized holidays have been set during the visit to manage the large public events.
