American singer Taylor Swift.
Vienna: A major plot to attack American singer Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Austria this week has been foiled. On the other hand, after the disclosure of this plot, Taylor’s program has been cancelled. In this case, the police have arrested two suspects belonging to the Islamic State group. Franz Ruf, Director of Public Security in Austria’s Home Ministry, said that chemical substances and technical equipment have been found from the house of the 19-year-old main suspect. In the ‘OE1’ program of state broadcaster ‘ORF’ on Thursday, Ruf said that investigators are evaluating the evidence seized from the suspect’s house.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group on his internet account a few weeks ago. A second 17-year-old boy was arrested near the stadium in connection with the attack plot. Home Minister Gerhard Karner said authorities found Islamic State group and al-Qaeda material at the home of the second suspect. He said no other suspects were wanted in connection with the attack plot. Karner said on Thursday, “The situation was and is serious, but at the same time we can say that a tragedy has been averted.” Earlier, several Austrian media reported on Thursday that other suspects were being sought – which police had not officially confirmed.
1 suspect is an Austrian citizen
Austrian security officials said the second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian citizen of Turkish and Croatian descent, was arrested by special police forces near the stadium where the concerts were scheduled to take place this week. Austrian security officials alleged the two suspects wanted to carry out the attack outside the stadium, and kill as many people as possible using knives or homemade explosives. They told reporters at a press conference in Vienna that the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen of North Macedonian descent, had confessed to plotting to carry out the attacks. They said he was a radical linked to the Islamic State and “thinks it’s okay to kill infidels.”
Who is the second suspect?
The second suspect arrested in the plot was hired just days earlier by a company that provides venue services during concerts. Investigators said they found extensive material related to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda at his home. However, Swift’s three concerts had been sold out globally and the cancellation came as a shock to her fans around the world, many of whom had spent thousands of euros to travel to Austria. The Eras Tour concerts were scheduled to take place at the Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Austria’s Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler apologized to Swift’s disappointed fans on the social media platform X for the cancellation.
If the program had not been cancelled, a major accident could have occurred
Ruf said authorities were aware of “preparations” for the attack, as well as the 19-year-old perpetrator’s focus on Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna, the Austria Press Agency reported. In accordance with Austria’s privacy laws, Ruf did not provide further details, such as the names of the suspects. “We have no choice but to cancel three scheduled events for the safety of everyone,” event organiser Barracuda Music said in a post on Instagram late Wednesday, citing confirmation by government officials of a plot to attack the stadium.
“The cancellation of Taylor Swift’s concert by the organisers is extremely disappointing for all her fans in Austria,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted on X. “The situation in Vienna with the apparent planned terrorist attack is extremely serious,” he said. Barracuda Music said all ticket purchases would be refunded within 10 working days. (AP)
Read this also
Big statement by Indian Foreign Ministry before the swearing-in of interim government in Bangladesh, know what was said?
Muhammad Yunus said- The government will protect the people of Bangladesh, appealed to the youth to rebuild the country
Latest World News
