Two suspects were arrested in Austria for a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. The first suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, fully confessed to his attack plans. Authorities allege the two young men planned to commit an attack outside the stadium, aiming to kill as many people as possible using knives or self-made explosives. The second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian citizen with Turkish and Croatian roots, was arrested by special police forces near the stadium. He had been employed by a facility company providing services at the venue during the concerts.
Investigators discovered extensive materials related to the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda at the home of the younger suspect. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the situation was serious but a tragedy had been prevented. The suspects’ names were not released due to Austrian privacy rules. The cancellations of the three sold-out concerts this week disappointed fans worldwide, many of whom had spent considerable sums on travel and lodging in Vienna. The Ernst Happel Stadium, where the concerts were scheduled, stood empty on Thursday morning except for media filming outside.
