The attack plans were well advanced, but the Austrian police struck in time. Propaganda material on two suspects shows their attitude.
The two terror suspects arrested in Vienna are being investigated for membership in a terrorist group and criminal organization. They are accused of having connections with the terrorist network Islamic State (IS) and of having represented its goals and intentions, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office told the Austrian news agency APA.
According to the investigation, the 19-year-old wanted to carry out an attack in front of the stadium where US superstar Taylor Swift was due to perform in front of more than 60,000 spectators. Her three concerts in Vienna this week were cancelled for security reasons. Tens of thousands of Swift fans were deeply disappointed. However, the police did not search for any other suspects.
The second person arrested is 17 years old. He was working as a stage and scaffold builder in the stadium where Swift was performing. He was arrested there. He is friends with the 19-year-old.
Suspected perpetrator had also hoarded counterfeit money
The 19-year-old’s plans were well advanced, it was said. Instructions on how to build bombs and 12 percent hydrogen peroxide, which can be used with other chemicals to make highly explosive liquid explosives, were found on him on Wednesday. He had worked for a chemical company. Also seized were ignition materials, ignition cables and ignition devices, knives, machetes and 21,000 euros in counterfeit money.
While the 19-year-old said during questioning, according to police, that he wanted to kill as many people as possible in front of the stadium with an explosive device and cutting and stabbing weapons, the 17-year-old’s lawyer said that the teenager had nothing to do with plans for an attack. He had not noticed anything about his friend’s radicalization, defense attorney Nikolas Rast told APA.
15-year-old released after giving witness testimony
However, the police are said to have found propaganda material for IS and the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda on him. According to initial investigations, he also visited a mosque where Islamist content was represented. A 15-year-old was questioned as a witness but was not arrested. He is said to have incriminated the 19-year-old.
Source: Stern
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