18-Year-Old Detained in Vienna Over Alleged Taylor Swift Concert Attack Plot
Vienna, Austria – An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, announced on Friday.
The Iraqi suspect is believed to be connected to the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen of North Macedonian descent, who is at the center of the investigation. According to Karner, the Iraqi swore allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group on August 6, although it remains unclear if he had any direct involvement in the planned attack.
As the investigation continues, authorities are questioning more suspects and conducting property searches to uncover further details of the plot. The main suspect, who had also pledged loyalty to IS, was reportedly planning a deadly assault at one of Swift's concerts, which were set to attract around 20,000 fans to Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium. Due to the security threat, all three shows were cancelled.
The 19-year-old suspect, who resigned from his job less than two weeks before the planned attack, reportedly telling colleagues he "had big plans," has confessed to the plot while in custody. Authorities also detained two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, in connection with the alleged scheme.
The 17-year-old, who had secured a job with a company providing services at the stadium, has so far refused to cooperate with investigators. Authorities noted that the boy, who appears to have been radicalized, was already known to them.
The 15-year-old suspect remains under intensive questioning by the police.
Austrian authorities reportedly received information about the potential threat to the Swift concert from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law does not permit the monitoring of instant messaging apps, which the suspects allegedly used to communicate.
"Cooperation with foreign partners and services is essential and reciprocal. This made it possible to prevent a tragedy in Vienna," said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Taylor Swift, whose next scheduled performance is in London next week, has not commented on the cancellations. British police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest the Vienna plot would impact the London show.