A Russian diplomat has reportedly shot dead a man who tried to rob him in Rio on the eve of the opening ceremony.
In a statement to Fairfax Media, Rio police said Braga fought off the attacker but, during the struggle, the assailant’s gun discharged, killing him.
The incident happened after the Olympic torch passed through the Avenida das Americas when the mugger hit the diplomat as he was sitting in his car.
An accomplice, who was also on a motorbike, fled the scene.
A spokesman from the Rio Olympics Organising Committee attempted to downplay the shooting, saying he wasn’t clear on what it had to do with the games.
The diplomat was identified by local media as Marcos Cesar Feres Braga.
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice said the shooting was still being investigated.
Russian news agency Tass later said the man was not from the Russian consulate, although this is disputed.
