Taylor Swift Concerts - With explosives and pointed weapons: What is known about the planned attack in Vienna
In the foiled attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, the main suspect has reportedly confessed to the planned act. The 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots had expressed his intentions online. "His goal was to kill himself and a large crowd outside the stadium," said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, director of state security and intelligence, at a press conference. A tip-off from a foreign intelligence service led to the plans.
According to security authorities, the suspect intended to attack one of the concerts of the US pop star in the Austrian capital with explosives and melee weapons. He planned to strike on Thursday or Friday. As of current knowledge, he did not have a ticket for any of the three planned concerts this week, the authorities in Vienna reported.
The police uncovered a plot to attack the event just 48 hours before the first live concert of US singer Taylor Swift in Vienna on Wednesday. Along with the 19-year-old, they also arrested a 17-year-old and interrogated a 15-year-old, both of whom had contact with the 19-year-old.
Suspect had contacts with Islamists
"One thing is clear: He is clearly radicalized and finds it right to kill unbelievers," said Haijawi-Pirchner further. The detainee was part of an Islamist network known to the police. He had informed himself online about the construction of bombs.
The young man had quit his job on July 25, saying he had something big planned, according to the police. He then intensively prepared for a planned attack. The suspect had recently sworn allegiance to the current leader of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS).
During a search of his living quarters in Ternitz south of Vienna, chemical substances and technical devices were found that pointed to "concrete preparatory actions," said Franz Ruf, general director of public security in the Ministry of the Interior.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said at the press conference in Vienna that the situation remains serious. "But we can also state: A tragedy could be prevented." According to him, the danger from Islamic extremism in Europe has increased significantly since the attack by Hamas on Israel in October. Therefore, Austria raised the terror alert level to 4, the second highest level, in the fall. "I therefore understand the decision of the organizer to cancel the concert," said Karner.
Thousands of Taylor Swift fans in Vienna in mourning and panic
Meanwhile, fans of the US pop star are shocked. "My mom and I are sitting in the room crying," wrote a fan online. "Our hearts are broken," added another user who had traveled from California. Other fans hung their friendship bracelets, which they had brought for the concerts, on a tree on Thursday.
Many of the so-called Swifties had traveled to the Austrian capital from far away and were now trying to cope with the situation. "My sister is stuck alone in Vienna," it said in a comment according to the news agency APA. But she had just arranged to meet with other fans. Another user wrote: "I'm also alone in Vienna. If anyone wants to meet, I'd like to go sightseeing."
Other fans, meanwhile, reportedly expressed fear of moving around the city at all. One woman from the US, who had come to Vienna for four days and intended to explore the city, now had reservations about going outside.
The organizer, in the meantime, announced plans to refund all ticket prices. Around 65,000 spectators were expected for each of the concerts scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as part of Swift's "Eras" tour.
The Police were involved in the investigation and arrest of the suspect and his associates due to the threats towards Taylor Swift's concert. The presence of the suspect in an Islamist network and his ties to extremist groups raised concerns among security authorities.
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