• Taylor Swift concert cancelled in Vienna
    Politics Security and Terrorism

    Terror threat in Austria cancels Taylor Swift concert

    European Newsdesk Posted on

    Terror threat in Vienna, Austria to the Taylor Swift concert shows how Europe is at risk to young immigrant attackers radicalised by Islamic State and other terrorist organisations. Swift’s concerts to continue in London as UK police do not see any connected threat.

    An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna in connection with an alleged plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, according to Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner. The suspect is reportedly linked to the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent.

    The Iraqi suspect pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group on August 6, though his direct involvement in the planned attack remains unclear. Authorities are continuing to investigate, with more suspects being questioned and additional properties searched.

    The main suspect, who had also pledged loyalty to IS, was allegedly planning a deadly attack on the estimated 20,000 fans expected at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. This prompted the cancellation of all three scheduled shows due to security concerns. The 19-year-old suspect, who resigned from his job less than two weeks before the planned attack, stating he “had big plans,” has confessed to the plot while in custody. Two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, were detained on Wednesday in connection with the alleged plot.

    The 17-year-old, who had secured employment with a company providing services at the stadium, has so far refused to cooperate with authorities. He is believed to have been radicalized and was already known to law enforcement. The 15-year-old continues to be interrogated by police.

    Austrian authorities reportedly received information about the threat from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law prohibits the monitoring of instant messaging apps, which the suspects used for communication. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized the importance of international cooperation in preventing the attack.

    Taylor Swift, who is scheduled to perform next in London, has not commented on the cancellations. British police have stated that there is no indication the Vienna plot poses any threat to the London concert.

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