Third Person Detained Over Foiled Plot Targeting Taylor Swift’s Canceled Vienna Shows

A third teenager was arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced Friday.

The 18-year-old suspect was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna. Investigators allege he had been in contact with the main suspect. The arrest was revealed during an unrelated news conference.

Karner stated that the main suspect is a 19-year-old who was arrested on Tuesday, along with a 17-year-old accomplice. A 15-year-old was also interrogated but was not arrested. Authorities confirmed Thursday that no additional suspects were being sought.

Officials believe the plot was inspired by Islamic State and al-Qaida. Bomb-making materials were found at one suspect’s home, and one of them confessed to planning to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”

Both the main suspect and the recently arrested 18-year-old had pledged “oaths of allegiance” to the Islamic State. Karner noted that although the 18-year-old was not directly involved in the attack plans, he had sworn allegiance to IS on August 6.

As a result of the plot, organizers canceled three sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, disappointing fans who had spent significant amounts on travel and lodging. The concerts were expected to draw up to 65,000 fans per show inside the Ernst Happel Stadium and around 30,000 onlookers outside.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the decision to cancel the concerts, emphasizing the importance of safety. “I understand very well that those who wanted to experience the concert live are very sad,” he said, adding that safety must come first in such serious situations.

Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium for five concerts between August 15 and 20 to close the European leg of her Eras Tour. London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated that while he understood Vienna’s decision, London would continue with its plans, assuring that authorities are prepared.

The main suspect in Austria confessed that he had started planning the attack in July. He had uploaded an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State’s current leader weeks before his arrest. Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, said the suspect was radicalized towards Islamic State ideologies and intended to kill as many people as possible outside the stadium.

Investigators discovered chemical substances and technical devices at the suspect’s home, indicating “concrete preparatory acts” for the attack. They also found Islamic State and al-Qaida materials at the 17-year-old suspect’s home. This suspect, who has not spoken to authorities, was employed by a company providing services at the concert venue.

Authorities said both suspects had undergone significant social changes. The 19-year-old quit his job but mentioned having “big plans,” while the 17-year-old ended a relationship with his girlfriend. Neither had tickets to any of the shows.

Austria’s intelligence service collaborated with foreign intelligence agencies to apprehend the suspects, although Karner did not specify which agencies were involved. The CIA declined to comment on its possible involvement.

Concert organizer Barracuda Music announced the cancellation of the shows, prioritizing safety. They promised refunds for all tickets, and Austrian rail operator OeBB said it would reimburse fans for unused train tickets.

Taylor Swift has not publicly commented on the plot or the canceled shows. However, her fear of large-scale violence at her concerts is well-documented. In a 2019 interview with Elle magazine, she expressed her concerns about keeping her fans safe during a global tour.