Authorities discovered Islamic State and al-Qaida materials at the home of the second and final suspect involved in a thwarted plot to attack Taylor Swift’s now-cancelled concerts in Austria. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated Thursday in Vienna that no additional suspects are being pursued following the arrest of the two individuals.
“The situation was grave, it remains serious. But we can also say: A tragedy has been averted,” Karner said.
Austrian security officials revealed that the second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian of Turkish and Croatian descent, was detained by special police forces near the stadium where the concerts were scheduled to take place this week. A 19-year-old Austrian was also apprehended. The suspects’ identities have not been disclosed due to Austrian privacy laws.
According to Austrian security officials, the suspects intended to carry out an attack outside the stadium, aiming to kill as many people as possible with knives or homemade explosives.
During a press conference in Vienna, officials noted that the primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin, fully admitted to his attack plans. They described him as being “clearly radicalized towards the Islamic State and believing it is right to kill infidels.”
The second suspect had recently been employed by a company providing services at the venue during the concerts. Investigators found extensive Islamic State and al-Qaida materials at his home.
The cancellation of three sold-out concerts this week left fans devastated, many of whom had spent thousands of euros on travel and accommodations in Vienna for the Eras Tour shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium, which remained empty on Thursday morning except for media coverage.
