Two Suspects Arrested For Alleged Terror Plot At Taylor Swift’s Austria Concert
The primary suspect, 19, was arrested in Ternitz, while the second individual was taken into custody in Vienna, according to Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety.
Austrian authorities have apprehended two individuals suspected of plotting a terrorist attack on Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Vienna.
The primary suspect, 19, was arrested in Ternitz, while the second individual was taken into custody in Vienna, according to Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety.
Swift is scheduled to perform at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion on August 8-10, prompting enhanced security measures.
According to Mail Online, the suspects, who allegedly self-radicalized online, had Vienna in their sights, with the 19-year-old specifically targeting Swift’s concert, Ruf confirmed.
The 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group in early July, the police said.
The names of the suspects have not been released yet.
Taylor Swift, who is 34, is due to perform at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion on August 8, 9, and 10 and security measures for the shows will be stepped up.
A bomb squad was also said to have found chemical substances after raiding the 19-year-old’s home, who was suspected of possessing an explosive device – and the substances are now being evaluated to see if they could make a bomb.
Ruf said that there would be a special focus on entry checks and concertgoers should plan to arrive in plenty of time.
Vienna police anticipate a daily attendance of 65,000 fans at Taylor Swift’s concerts, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 enthusiasts gathering outside the venue.
Despite minimizing concrete threats, Vienna police chief Gerhard Purst has deemed it necessary to heighten security measures due to lingering abstract risks.
