Third Teen Arrested In ISIS-Linked Terror Plot To Target Taylor Swift's Vienna Shows, Know About Conspiracy
Another 18-year-old teenager was arrested for being in contact with the main suspect, who was arrested in connection with the foiled ISIS-linked terror attack plans in Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts.
Taylor Swift Vienna Concerts: After the arrest of a 19-year-old main suspect and another minor on Tuesday, a third teenager was arrested on Thursday evening in connection with an alleged terror attack at Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna that have been cancelled, following the incident.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said during a news conference that an 18-year-old was taken into custody on the evening of August 8 in Vienna for allegedly being in contact with the main suspect, The Associated Press reported.
Karner also said that the investigators are scrutinising the "networks" of the suspects, adding that they have turned to evaluating physical and electronic evidence.
Apart from the main suspect, a 17-year-old was also arrested Tuesday, while a 15-year-old was interrogated but was not arrested. The names and identities of all the suspects have not been releasesd, in accordance with Austrian privacy rules. No additional suspects were being sought,officials told AP.
What Was The Plot? Here's What The Probe Has Revealed So Far
According to the authorities, the plot is said to have been inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Both the main suspect as well as the 18-year-old arrested on August 8, pledged "oaths of allegiance" to the Islamic State group, AP reported.
Karner also said that the 18-year-old comes from the "social environment" of the main suspect.
"He had been in contact with the main perpetrator, but is not directly connected to the attack plans," the minister said. "But, as was found out a few days ago, he took an oath of allegiance specifically to the IS on Aug. 6."
As per the report, investigators recovered bomb-making materials at the key suspect’s home. Officials said that the teenager even confessed to plotting to "kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue" using knives or homemade explosives. The foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, Karner said.
Swift was set to take the stage in Vienna from August 8-10 but all the three sold-out concerts were cancelled on Wednesday as the cops arrested two teenagers in connection with the planned attack.
Several fans were left disappointed, many of whom had paid hefty money on travel and lodging in Vienna to attend the singer's European leg of her worldwide tour, Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
Concert organisers in Austria stated they had expected a massive turnout of up to 65,000 fans inside the stadium at each concert, and an additional 30,000 onlookers outside the stadium, where the suspects had allegedly planned to strike.
Defending the cancellation of the concerts, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that the suspects were arrested too close to the shows, scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
"I understand very well that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad," Nehammer told a news conference on Thursday.
"Moms and dads are looking after their daughters and sons, who were full of enthusiasm and anticipation for this concert. But it’s also important that in such serious moments as now, it’s inevitable that safety comes first," Nehammer added.
Concert organiser Barracuda Music posted on Instagram late Wednesday stating that they had "no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety."
Barracuda also assured that all tickets would be refunded. Swift’s official website also posted the same message under the Vienna dates.
London To Host Taylor Swift's Concerts Despite Vienna Incident
In the next leg of her tour, Swift is scheduled to perform at London’s Wembley stadium in five concerts between August 15 and 20, concluding the European leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.
On the singer's London upcoming concerts, London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that although he understood Vienna's reasons for canceling the three concerts, "We’re going to carry on."
Khan said the authorities were prepared for shows there following lessons learned from a 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people.
Just last month, an assailant killed three girls and injured 10 people in a knife attack in England during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class.
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