A third suspect has been arrested in Vienna, Austria, in connection with a plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert, according to Austrian officials. The suspect, an 18-year-old Iraqi national, was apprehended as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged terrorist plot targeting the American pop star’s concert. This announcement was made by Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, on Friday.
The arrest comes just a day after two other teenagers, aged 19 and 17, were detained by Austrian authorities. These individuals are believed to have been planning a terror attack during the Vienna leg of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour. The suspects reportedly had ties to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, having sworn “oaths of allegiance” to the organization, according to a report by German publication DW.
The main suspect in the case is a 19-year-old who had recently quit his job on July 25, telling others that he had “something big” planned. Authorities believe he intended to detonate an explosive device near the concert venue. The 17-year-old suspect, who was arrested in Vienna on Wednesday, had recently ended a relationship with his girlfriend, which might have played a role in his radicalization.
Austrian Interior Minister Karner revealed that international intelligence agencies played a crucial role in uncovering the plot. The suspects were reportedly radicalized through online content, a growing concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. During a press conference, Franz Ruf, the director general for public security in Austria, confirmed that the suspects had been in contact with other individuals who were aware of the planned attack.
As a precaution, the organizers of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna have canceled three scheduled performances. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his disappointment over the cancellations in a post on social media platform X, calling it a “bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria.” However, he emphasized that the decision was necessary to prevent a potential tragedy.
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Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which began on March 18, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona, has been a global sensation, attracting massive crowds across the United States, South America, Asia, and Australia. The tour is currently in its European leg, with upcoming performances in London at Wembley Stadium scheduled for August 15-20.
Despite the security concerns in Austria, the tour is expected to continue as planned, with heightened security measures likely to be implemented at future venues. Fans and authorities alike are relieved that the alleged plot was foiled, ensuring the safety of concertgoers and the artist herself.
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