- Swift's cancelled shows: "Tragedy prevented"
Due to the intervention of investigators, as stated by Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), a tragedy was averted at the planned concerts of Taylor Swift in Vienna. "A disaster was prevented," Karner said at a press conference. "The situation was serious, and it remains so." The minister referred to Austria's ongoing second-highest terror alert level. The success of the investigation was significantly contributed to by international intelligence cooperation. Apart from the two suspects arrested, another person was stopped for questioning. No further suspects are being sought.
The 19-year-old main suspect had quit his job on July 25th and hinted at having "big plans," said General Director for Public Security Franz Ruf. The second suspect, a 17-year-old, had ended his relationship with his girlfriend. Both suspects appeared to be prepared to die, according to Ruf.
Investigations revealed that the 19-year-old radicalized Islamist had planned attacks and targeted Swift's shows in the Austrian capital. As a precaution, the three mass events scheduled for this week were cancelled just 24 hours before Swift's first planned performance on Thursday. According to the Austrian government, the threat level was "very serious."
The main suspect, who was of French origin, had expressed intentions of grandeur before leaving his job. The international intelligence cooperation involved French agencies, playing a crucial role in disrupting the terror plot.
