Taylor Swift Vienna concerts: Third suspect detained
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 cancelled after the police foiled a terrorist attack. It was established that the target was supposed to be one of the three concerts by the American singer in Vienna. The first was to take place on Thursday. A day earlier, Austrian authorities reported the threat and arrested two suspects in connection with planning the attack.
On Friday, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior reported the arrest in Vienna of a third suspect, 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.
