Austrian authorities announced Friday a third arrest in connection with the foiled plot to attack three concerts in Taylor Swift now cancelled, as disappointed fans delighted Vienna by exchanging friendship bracelets and singing the pop star’s songs in the streets.
The prime suspect, a 19-year-old, planned to use knives or homemade explosives to attack spectators who would gather outside the Ernst Happel stadium (up to 30,000 each night, and another 65,000 inside) during the concert on Thursday or Friday. The suspect hoped to “kill as many people as possible,” authorities said.
He was arrested on Tuesday along with a 17-year-old boy, authorities said. Both are Austrian citizens.
The third suspect, an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen, was arrested on Thursday evening.the interior minister said at an unrelated news conference on Friday.
A 15-year-old boy was also questioned but not detained. Their names were not released, in line with Austrian privacy rules.
Who was behind the attempted terrorist attack at Taylor Swift’s show?
Authorities said the plot was inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda. The main suspect, as well as the 18-year-old arrested on Friday, took an “oath of allegiance” to the Islamic State group.
The researchers Bomb-making material discovered at the home of the main suspect, as well as Islamic State and al-Qaeda material at the home of the 17-year-old. The suspect, who has so far refused to speak, was working a few days ago at a company that provided unspecified services at the venue where the concerts will be held.
Although the 18-year-old was sworn in and “comes from the social circle” of the main suspect, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said he was not directly linked to the plot.
The Austrian Interior Ministry, in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Friday, said that “his arrest underlines the broad scope of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are taking decisive action against anyone who may be involved in terrorist activities or exhibits radical tendencies.”
Investigators are examining the suspects’ “networks,” the statement said, and have relied on physical and electronic evidence.
How Taylor Swift’s tour continues
Swift is still scheduled to travel to London’s Wembley Stadium for five shows between August 15 and 20 to close out the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour.
The singer will return to the United States on October 18, playing three consecutive nights at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
