Vienna: A major plot to attack American singer Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Austria this week has been foiled. On the other hand, after the plot was revealed, Taylor’s program has been canceled. In this case, the police have arrested two suspects related to the Islamic State group. Public Security Director in Austria’s Home Ministry Franz Ruf said that chemical substances and technical equipment have been found from the house of the 19-year-old main suspect. In the ‘OE1’ program of state broadcaster ‘ORF’ on Thursday, Ruf said that investigators are evaluating the evidence seized from the suspect’s house.
Ruf said that a few weeks ago, the 19-year-old youth had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group on his internet account. Another 17-year-old teenager has been arrested near the stadium in the attack plot. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said authorities found Islamic State group and al-Qaeda material at the home of the second suspect. He said no other suspects were wanted in connection with the attack. “The situation was and is serious, but at the same time we can say that a tragedy has been averted,” Karner said Thursday. Earlier, several Austrian media outlets reported Thursday that other suspects were being sought – which police had not officially confirmed.
1 suspect is an Austrian citizen
Austrian security officials said the second suspect is a 17-year-old Austrian citizen of Turkish and Croatian descent. He was arrested by special police forces near the stadium where the concerts were scheduled to take place this week. Austrian security officials alleged that both accused wanted to attack outside the stadium, and kill as many people as possible using knives or homemade explosives. He told reporters at a press conference in Vienna that the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen of North Macedonian origin, had confessed to plotting to carry out the attack. They said he was a fanatic associated with the Islamic State and “thinks it’s right to kill infidels.”
Who is the second suspect?
The second suspect arrested in the conspiracy was hired a few days ago by a company that provides services at the venue during concerts. Investigators said they found extensive material related to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda at his home. However, Swift’s three concerts had been sold out globally and the cancellation of the concert came as a shock to her fans around the world, as many had come to Austria after spending thousands of euros. The concerts of the ‘Eras Tour’ were scheduled to be held at the Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Austria’s ‘Vice Chancellor’ Werner Kogler has apologized to Swift’s disappointed fans on the social media platform ‘X’ for the cancellation of the concert.
If the event had not been cancelled, it could have been a major accident
According to the Austria Press Agency, Ruf said that the authorities were aware of the “preparations” for the attack, as well as the 19-year-old criminal’s focus on Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna. In accordance with Austria’s privacy law, Ruf did not provide further information such as the names of the suspects. Event organiser ‘Barracuda Music’ said in a post on ‘Instagram’ late Wednesday night, “We have no choice but to cancel three scheduled events for the safety of everyone.” It cited confirmation by government officials of a plot to attack the stadium.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted on ‘X’, “The cancellation of Taylor Swift’s event by the organisers is very disappointing for all fans in Austria.” He said, “The situation related to the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious.” ‘Barracuda Music’ said that the money for all tickets would be refunded within 10 working days.
