NewsTaylor Swift cancels Vienna concerts: The third suspect from Iraq arrested

Taylor Swift cancels Vienna concerts: The third suspect from Iraq arrested

Taylor Swift concerts were canceled due to the terrorist threat.
Taylor Swift concerts were canceled due to the terrorist threat.
Images source: © PAP | MAX SLOVENCIK

8:29 AM EDT, August 9, 2024

New facts regarding the planned terrorist attacks at Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna. Austrian authorities have detained a third suspect in the case. He is an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen.

The planned concerts in Austria by global star Taylor Swift have been canceled after the police foiled a terrorist attack. The attacker was targeting one of the American singer's three concerts in Vienna. The first was scheduled for Thursday. One day earlier, Austrian authorities reported the threat and arrested two suspects involved in planning the attack.

On Friday, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior reported the arrest of a third suspect in Vienna, an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen.

They pledged allegiance to ISIS

Detained on Thursday evening, the 18-year-old from Iraq had contact with the main suspect, a 19-year-old of North Macedonian origin, but was not "directly involved" in the attack plans," said Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner during a Friday press conference, as quoted by the Associated Press. Both, however, had made a "pledge of allegiance" to ISIS.

Austria's Minister of the Interior said the foiled attack was planned for Thursday or Friday.

In the main suspect's home, investigators found materials for bomb production. The 19-year-old allegedly admitted to planning to "kill as many people as possible" using knives or homemade explosives. Along with him, the police detained a 17-year-old who had taken a job at the stadium where the concert was to take place.

On Friday, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior reported that investigators are examining a "network" of suspects.

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