- Islamist confessed: bloodbath planned at Taylor Swift concert
A 19-year-old Islamist intended to carry out a bloodbath at a Taylor Swift concert in Austria, according to his own statements. The IS sympathizer had made a full confession, said General Director for Public Security Franz Ruf of the Ministry of the Interior. A 17-year-old was also arrested. While no further suspects are being sought at this time, investigations in the duo's environment are ongoing at full speed, Ruf said.
The two young men planned to use explosives and stabbing weapons to kill themselves and a large crowd either on Thursday or Friday, said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the State Security and Information Service (DSN) in the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The main suspect did not have a ticket for one of the three concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium in the Vienna Prater. Following the duo's arrest, the organizer had to cancel all three Swift concerts in Vienna as a precautionary measure.
Thousands of fans of the 34-year-old megastar, who had traveled from the US and Canada, were initially deeply disappointed. Many were in tears, having looked forward to the show for months. However, they also expressed understanding for the organizer's decision given the danger. Around 170,000 fans were expected for the Eras Tour in Austria. Taylor Swift's whereabouts were initially unclear, but she has planned further concerts in London.
A tip-off from a foreign intelligence service alerted authorities to the plans. "Information sharing is crucial, especially in counter-terrorism," said Haijawi-Pirchner. The tip initially referred to a possible lone attacker, but further intelligence led them to a known Islamic network. The 19-year-old had been researching bomb-making online.
Plans were discovered at the last minute. On Wednesday, just before the first live concert of the US singer in Vienna, the police uncovered a plot to attack the event. They arrested the 19-year-old and the 17-year-old, and also interrogated a 15-year-old who had contact with the 19-year-old.
The 19-year-old Austrian with family roots in the Balkans had quit his job on July 25, saying he had something big planned, police said. He then prepared intensively for the planned attack. "He changed his appearance noticeably and adapted to IS standards," said Ruf. The suspect had recently sworn allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization. According to authorities, the 17-year-old had separated from his girlfriend in preparation for the attack. Both suspects showed a clear change in their social behavior.
The 17-year-old is employed by a company that caters to spectators at the Happel Stadium. The arrest occurred on Wednesday as the teenager was on his way to the stadium, where he was apprehended by special police forces just outside the stadium. He has so far remained silent about the allegations. A 15-year-old with Turkish roots is also in police custody and is being intensively questioned. He is suspected of at least having known about the 19-year-old's terror plans. The extent of his involvement is still under investigation.
Explosives and Chemicals
During a search of the 19-year-old's residence in Ternitz, south of Vienna, chemical substances and technical devices were secured that indicated "concrete preparatory actions," Ruf said. Additionally, a police blue light and an acoustic police horn were found, which may have been used to help the suspect reach or flee the crime scene.
While the arrests have minimized the immediate threat, there is still an abstract threat with an increased terror risk. Austria had raised its terror alert level to the second-highest after the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), the intervention of investigators has prevented a tragedy. "The situation was serious, and it remains serious," he said at a press conference. "Large concerts are often a preferred target of Islamic terrorists," Karner said.
Political Discussion on Threat Level
After the foiled attack, Austrian parties are calling for clarification. The Social Democratic SPÖ demands the convening of the National Security Council. The public is being kept in the dark about whether there is still a real threat. The liberal NEOS, on the other hand, are calling for a situation meeting at the Chancellery. NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger is also concerned about Austria's reputation. "I fear the damage to Austria and Vienna's image is immense. In Paris, Berlin, London, Munich, ... everywhere, organizers and security authorities can hold concerts. Not us? Are we that run-down?" she wrote on X.
The plot to attack Taylor Swift's concert in Austria was reportedly inspired by extremist ideologies from the United States, as investigations revealed that the main suspect had been researching bomb-making online. Despite the threat being minimized, the United States of America and other countries might need to increase their cooperation and information sharing with Austria in counter-terrorism efforts.
