VIENNA,— An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna amid investigations into an alleged plot to target a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced on Friday.
The Iraqi suspect is reportedly associated with the main figure in the case, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian heritage. According to Karner, the suspect pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) on August 6. However, authorities have yet to determine if he was directly involved in planning the attack.
Investigations are ongoing, with additional suspects expected to be questioned and further property searches planned, Karner revealed.
The primary suspect, who also expressed loyalty to IS, was allegedly planning a deadly attack on the estimated 20,000 Taylor Swift fans expected to gather at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. Security concerns led to the cancellation of all three scheduled concerts.
Authorities stated that the 19-year-old suspect, who resigned from his job less than two weeks before the planned attack, citing “big plans,” has confessed to the plot while in custody.
In connection with the case, two more Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, were detained on Wednesday. The 17-year-old, who had secured employment with a company providing services at the stadium, has refused to cooperate with authorities, according to Karner. The boy, who also appears to have been radicalized, was already on the radar of law enforcement.
The 15-year-old suspect continues to undergo intensive questioning, Karner added.
The investigation reportedly gained traction after Austrian authorities received a tip from U.S. intelligence, as Austrian law does not permit the monitoring of instant messaging applications, which the suspects allegedly used to communicate.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized the importance of international cooperation in preventing such tragedies, stating, “Collaboration with foreign partners and intelligence services is crucial and reciprocal. This enabled us to avert a potential disaster in Vienna.”
Taylor Swift, who is set to perform in London next week, has yet to comment on the cancellation of her Vienna shows.
(with files from Reuters)
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