Taylor Swift concert attack plot: Third suspect, an Iraqi national, detained in Vienna

An 18-year-old Iraqi national, who is believed to be linked to the main suspect – a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent – ​​has been detained as part of an ongoing investigation by the Interior Ministry.

The revelation has shocked many, as the concert, which was supposed to be attended by around 20,000 “Swifty” fans, was scheduled to be held at the iconic Ernst Happel Stadium. The American pop star’s shows, which were scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, were abruptly cancelled late Wednesday night due to growing security concerns.

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The main suspect, who had sworn allegiance to the extremist group Islamic State (IS), was reportedly plotting a deadly attack against the cheering crowd. This disturbing news prompted immediate action, resulting in the detention of two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, on Wednesday. While the 15-year-old has since been released and is now considered a witness, the involvement of the Iraqi suspect is still under investigation.

Austrian authorities are working to solve this puzzle with the help of US intelligence agencies, as Austrian laws prohibit monitoring instant messaging apps – the very platforms through which the suspects were communicating. The complexity of the situation underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in preventing such heinous acts.

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Swift, who is scheduled to perform in London next week, has not yet said anything publicly about the concert cancellation. Meanwhile, British police have assured that there is no indication that the Vienna plot poses any threat to her upcoming shows.

As investigations continue and more properties are searched, the Austrian public is anxious, and deeply concerned about the safety of large-scale events and the ongoing threat of extremism.