MBN

NEWS

Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift shows in Vienna canceled after 2 arrested for pla...

Barack Obama: «Yes, she can!»- Mich...
Published Time: 07.08.2024 - 20:04:08 Modified Time: 07.08.2024 - 20:04:08

The suspects allegedly radicalized themselves online, Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, said at a press conference. The 19-year-old suspect allegedly pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State at the beginning of July, Ruf said. Taylor Swift, taylor swift vienna, Vienna


The suspects allegedly radicalized themselves online, Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, said at a press conference. The 19-year-old suspect allegedly pledged allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State at the beginning of July, Ruf said.

Vienna was a target of their planned attack and the 19-year-old suspect had a particular focus on Swift's Vienna concert, Ruf said.


The pop star had concerts scheduled in Vienna this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Information the threat to the tour dates originated with U.S. intelligence and was passed to the Austrians and Europol, multiple law enforcement and intelligence sources told ABC News.

Though inspired by ISIS, the sources said investigators do not believe the alleged plot was directed by ISIS operatives.

U.S. intelligence found at least one of the suspects pledged to ISIS-K on the messaging app, Telegram, in early July, the sources said.

Investigators are not convinced that the alleged plot would have worked and they do not know if a functioning bomb was produced. However, Viennese investigators did find explosive precursor chemicals which showed a degree of motivation and planning, sources told ABC News.

Before the shows were canceled, Ruf said security at the concerts would be increased. The shows were expected to draw 65,000 concertgoers per day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside of the area, police said.

Swift kicked off the massively successful "Eras Tour" in Glendale, Arizona, on March 18, 2023.

Investigators in Austria are looking at surveillance footage to determine whether one or more of the suspects had previously visited the concert site for reconnaissance or if they had visited other potential targets.

As ABC News has previously reported, law enforcement officials have been concerned mass gathering attacks since the deadly Moscow concert hall assault earlier this year for which ISIS-K claimed credit.

NEWS