- Taylor Swift concert: suspect denies the charges
In the suspected plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, the main suspect now denies all allegations. The 19-year-old is neither a supporter of the Islamic State (IS) nor did he intend to attack fans of the US superstar, his lawyer confirmed to the news agency APA, according to a report by the "Kronen Zeitung". Authorities had initially stated that he had fully confessed and boasted about his plans. Now, his lawyer said, her client only wanted to "be cool".
He had made the explosives using a tutorial he found online, and was experimenting with them, possibly intending to test a bomb in the woods. At no point did he intend to harm people. Regarding the 19-year-old's possession of knives and other sharp weapons, his lawyer said, "He ordered them from Amazon because he liked them." The 19-year-old is not a terrorist, but "like a child. Immature, clueless."
So far, it is known that the suspect had sworn allegiance to IS and recently quit his job, announcing he had "great things" planned. At his arrest, police found knives, machetes, and explosives. According to investigators, the suspect also had a police light with a siren, which he intended to use to approach fans in his car and cause a massacre.
In addition to the 19-year-old with North Macedonian roots, a 17-year-old acquaintance is also in custody. The 17-year-old was working as a scaffolder at the Ernst-Happel Stadium, the concert venue. Furthermore, a 18-year-old Iraqi from the main suspect's circle has been remanded in custody. Although he was not involved in the plans, he too had sworn allegiance to IS.
Given the known terror threat beforehand, the three concerts scheduled for August 8-10 were cancelled by the promoter.
The 17-year-old, who was arrested in connection to the case, was working at the concert venue during the time of the alleged plot. The suspicions against the main suspect were initially brought forward to The Commission for the Protection of the Constitution and Prevention of Terrorism in Austria.
