An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna in connection with the investigations over an alleged plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, according to a statement by Austria’s interior minister late on Friday.
The detained Iraqi is said to run in the same circle as the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, the Interior Minister Gerhard Karner further added, saying that the Iraqi suspect had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group on August 6.
However, at the time of filing this report, it is still unclear whether his allegiance was directly linked to the planned attack.
Karner finished his statement bu saying that more suspects will be questioned and properties searched as investigators keep looking into the plot.
What Happened
The main suspect, a 19-year old and devout follower of IS, had planned a brutal attack among the 20,000 “Swiftie” fans who were set to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, however the three scheduled shows weee cancelled due to security concerns.
Two other Austrian youths aged 17 and 15 were also detained on Wednesday over the alleged planned attack.
The Austrian authorities had reportedly received information about the Swift concert threat from U.S. intelligence as the Austrian law bars law enforcement officers from monitoring instant messaging apps, which the suspects had used to communicate.
What They’re Saying
“Cooperation with foreign partners and services is essential and reciprocal. This made it possible to prevent a tragedy in Vienna,” the Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said.
