This week, three sold-out concerts by singer Taylor Swift are taking place in Vienna. According to police reports, they were targets of attack plans – two individuals have now been arrested on suspicion of terrorism.
Two individuals in Austria are suspected of planning attacks in the greater Vienna area and have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism. This was announced by Franz Ruf, director-general for public security at the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, at a press conference following a major operation.
According to reports, the sold-out concerts by singer Taylor Swift at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, scheduled to take place starting Thursday, were also attack targets.
Authorities: Oath of Loyalty to IS
One of the suspects is a 19-year-old Austrian, it was reported. According to police, he was arrested this morning in Ternitz, 75 kilometers southwest of Vienna. During the house search, special forces were able to secure chemical substances. The police had evacuated nearby houses and part of a senior citizens’ home out of concern for explosives.
As Ruf further reported, the 19-year-old is said to have radicalized himself on the internet and, a few weeks ago, pledged allegiance to the leadership of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS).
The authorities did not provide any information regarding the identity of the second arrested individual. Ruf only stated to ORF> that the arrest took place in the afternoon in Vienna. Investigations are currently ongoing.
Police Increase Security Measures
Ruf told ORF> that police measures at the Taylor Swift concerts would be increased. A special focus will be on “access controls and person searches.” Visitors should plan for more time as a result.
According to Vienna’s police chief Gerhard Pürstl, the specific threat has been minimized, but an abstract threat remains. In response to the attack plans, the police will increase the “anti-terror component.” Special forces will also be on-site to detect explosives.