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ISIS teens’ plot to kill as many Taylor Swift fans as possible included ‘bombs, knives and vehicle attack’

August 8, 2024 | | Print Article

Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna were canceled due to concerns of a terror attack plot.

Authorities announced the arrest of the 19-year-old main suspect in Ternitz, located south of Vienna, who had reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. A second alleged extremist, aged 17, who was in on the plot was also arrested and out of an abundance of caution, event organizers canceled Swift’s Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows.

An apology was issued on Instagram, informing all ticket holders that they would be issued a full refund for their troubles.

 

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Franz Ruf, public security director at Austria’s interior ministry, announced that authorities were made aware of “preparatory actions” “and also that there is a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, according to local news.

More from the Associated Press:

Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group, aka ISIS.

The Austrian citizen is believed to have become radicalized on the internet. Ruf said that chemical substances were secured and were being evaluated. He didn’t give more details.

The cancelation came hours after authorities said security measures for the Swift concerts would be stepped up. Ruf said that there would be a special focus among other things on entry checks and concertgoers should plan a bit more time.

Ruf added that the 17-year-old suspect had recently experienced a breakup with his former girlfriend, while the 19-year-old had reportedly ‘significantly changed his appearance’, quit his job and announced having “big plans” on July 25.

Local media claims that part of the plans may have included driving a vehicle into the crowd gathered outside of the arena, and then attacking with weapons like machetes and knives. Security officials chillingly confirmed that the plans involved trying to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue” after the suspect allegedly confessed.

Ruf also noted that “explosives were manufactured” at the home of the 19-year-old suspect, and local media alleges the chemicals used in those were stolen from the suspect’s former place of work.

The suspect allegedly planned to kill himself after murdering as many innocents as he could and had already recorded a video taking responsibility for the planned attack. “Teen had detonators and fake police vehicle blue siren and ‘thinks it is right to kill non-believers’,” wrote Daily Mail. “‘ISIS is back… key players are receiving instructions from abroad’.”

“He also had blank ammunition, €21,000 in counterfeit money and a blue police flashing light and siren he wanted to use to get to and from the venue,” the article continued, citing German tabloid Bild.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer took to X to give more details on how the threat was detected and to call out Islamic terrorism as a threat to Western life.

“The cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts by the organizers is a bitter disappointment for all fans in Austria. The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious. Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN with foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented. Many thanks to the emergency services who are currently investigating at full speed,” he wrote. “We live in a time in which violent means are being used to attack our western way of life. Islamist terrorism threatens security and freedom in many western countries. This is precisely why we will not give up our values ​​​​such as freedom and democracy, but will defend them even more vehemently. These values ​​​​are the foundation of our society and make us resilient against extremism and terrorism. It is important to remain vigilant, stand together and take decisive action against Islamism.”

The situation is reminiscent of the 2017 suicide bombing of a Manchester Ariana Grande concert, which left 22 people dead and many more injured.

Sierra Marlee
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