A 19-year-old man was arrested in Austria along with two others in connection with a planned suicide attack at one of American singer Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna. Austrian intelligence services revealed that the individual had intended to harm a large number of people using explosives and knives.
Omar Hajdahoui-Pichner, the director of the Austrian intelligence services (DSN), confirmed that the suspect had confessed to the attack plan.
Concert Cancellations
The organizers of Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Vienna announced the cancellation of three upcoming performances, citing security concerns.
According to NBC News, Austrian federal and state police arrested the 19-year-old on the same day, while another suspect was apprehended later in connection with the case. Austrian media reported the arrest of a second individual.
A police spokesperson disclosed that there had been a specific threat of an attack at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna this weekend.
Allegiance to ISIS
The 19-year-old suspect reportedly swore allegiance to the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS), as stated by police chief Klaus Ruf.
Chemical substances were discovered during searches conducted on the suspect, who was subsequently detained. Authorities are investigating whether the substances could be used to construct a bomb.
The Cobra unit, a specialized police unit akin to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, assisted in the arrests.