Taylor Swift Concerts Canceled in Vienna Due to Suspected Terrorist Plot
Four suspects have been detained due to their alleged connection to an alleged plot to attack and kill “a large crowd of people” in a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, Austria, police said.
The main suspect—a 19-year-old—confessed that he started planning to attack in July, and he had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group to the Internet several weeks ago. The suspect aimed to use knives and explosives to kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue. A second suspect, who is 17, was employed by a company providing unspecified services at the venue; police found IS and al Qaeda material at his home.
Authorities said that both suspects had undergone clear social changes recently; one quit his job and the other broke up with his girlfriend, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The main suspect had also recently changed his appearance and “adapted it to Islamic State propaganda,” officials told reporters. Investigators believe the suspects became radicalized online.
Local media reported that the 19-year-old suspect used to work at a metal processing company and had stolen chemicals from his work. The outlet also reported that the suspect planned to drive a car into the crowd outside the stadium.
Public security chief Franz Ruf told reporters at a press conference yesterday that chemical substances and technical devices found at the primary suspect’s house showed “concrete preparatory actions,” the BBC reported.
According to Reuters, “Austrian authorities are reported to have received information about the Swift concert threat from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law does not allow the monitoring of instant messaging apps, which the suspects had used to communicate.”
“Cooperation with foreign partners and services is essential and reciprocal. This made it possible to prevent a tragedy in Vienna,” said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Concert organizer Barracuda Music canceled three sold-out scheduled Swift concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium “for everyone’s safety,” promising to reimburse ticket costs. Tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert cost hundreds of Euros, with thousands of fans attending each event. By the end of 2024, Swift will have played nearly 150 shows across 54 cities worldwide as part of the tour. More than 195,000 people were expected to attend the three concerts in Vienna.
Terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp told the AP that any mass public event constitutes a potential threat now.
“So, we shouldn’t be surprised that these extremely popular iconic popstars that attract a massive audience will also attract terrorists that want to create fear and destruction and mayhem,” he said.
Swift’s tour is stopping in London next week to perform five shows. The BBC reported that Scotland Yard is looking closely at intelligence ahead of those events to ensure the concerts take place safely.
