Three Taylor Swift Concerts in Austria's Capital Cancelled Due to Terror Threat
Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna have been cancelled due to a terrorist threat, the event organisers announced on Instagram on Wednesday evening. Earlier, two men were detained in a major police operation on suspicion of preparing an attack at one of the American singer's concerts in the Austrian capital.
Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of two people in Austria, including a 19-year-old man, who had been plotting Islamist attacks, in particular in connection with concerts by American star Taylor Swift, originally scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Vienna, where 65,000 spectators are expected to attend each night.
An Austrian citizen who had "pledged allegiance" to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group was arrested after a raid in Lower Austria, an hour's drive from the capital, Franz Ruf, director general of public security, said at the conference's press release.
"We have identified preparatory activities with a focus on Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna," he added, adding that chemicals were "seized" from the suspect's home.
The young man was in cahoots with another person, also "radicalised on the Internet," who was arrested in Vienna, Mr Ruf said, without giving further details.
According to local media, the other suspects fled in the centre of Vienna.
As Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) stressed in a statement after the cancellation, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the police "did everything possible to ensure safe measures". "First of all, close communication with foreign security authorities is extremely important," Karner said. It is noted that the decision to cancel the three concerts was made by the organiser.
It is estimated that about 170,000 fans are expected to attend the Eras Tour in Austria.