Three teenagers aged 19, 17 and 15 were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly planning a terrorist attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
The 17-year-old suspect who plotted the terror threat had reportedly begun working at the concert stop — Ernst Happel Stadium — just days before the pop star’s show. TMZ said the teen had worked with a facility management company at the concert venue with his partner as a means of better preparing for the alleged attack.
Authorities also claimed that the terrorists had planned to drive the vehicle into the crowd outside the stadium, where Taylor’s fans – who missed out on tickets to the show – gather to hear their favourite singer. Here, a 17-year-old teenager, who was arrested outside the venue, could have detonated the bomb.
What has been revealed about the suspects in the failed terrorist attack at Taylor Swift Vienna concert?
Director General of Public Security Frank Ruf said the alleged suspects’ behavior reflected “solid preparation actions,” resulting in what authorities called the near disaster a “serious terrorist plot.” He also revealed that the oldest of the three teenage suspects “had a particular focus on Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna.”
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International media circulated a photo of the alleged main suspect – a 19-year-old Austrian citizen. Authorities claimed he had confessed to his plan.
According to a press release issued by the Vienna Federal Interior Ministry on Thursday, the main suspect arrested on Wednesday intended to attack fans using “bladed weapons as well as making bombs.”
Ruef said authorities found “chemicals, liquids, explosives and technical equipment that could be used to make explosives” at the suspect’s home. Bomb-making instructions and a knife were also found during the search.
“He wanted to attack the area outside the stadium, and kill as many people as possible using knives or explosive devices he made,” national intelligence chief Omar Hazawi-Pirchner said.
Apart from admitting to the charges against him, the suspect also revealed that he had recently quit his job, pledging allegiance to ISIS.
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Shortly after the news hit the headlines, the pop singer cancelled her three Eras Tour concerts in Vienna. Her upcoming London shows will be unaffected by these recent cancellations and are expected to take place as scheduled.
A spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police said: “There is no indication that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have any impact on upcoming events in London.”
