Terror threat at Taylor Swift concert, teen ISIS supporter arrested
A 19-year-old IS sympathiser has been arrested in Austria for planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna with the intention of killing many people, according to the intelligence agency.
PTC News Desk: A 19-year-old IS sympathiser has been arrested in Austria for planning a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna with the intention of killing many people, according to the intelligence agency.
"He said he intended to carry out an attack using explosives and knives...His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert, either today or tomorrow," Domestic Intelligence Agency (DSN) head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner said.
The 19-year-old was arrested near Ternitz, about an hour from the concert venue, after police discovered "chemical substances" in his residence that could be used to make bombs.
The search led to the evacuation of 60 houses. Another person was caught in Vienna, and investigators say the probe continues to grow and further arrests are anticipated.
Both suspects allegedly became radicalised online. Last month, the 19-year-old pledged his allegiance to ISIS's new leader. Franz Ruf, General Director for Public Security, noted that "communication of the perpetrators is usually undertaken in an encrypted form," making ordinary counter-terror surveillance difficult. Police Chief Gerhard Purstl stated that "specific preparatory measures have been undertaken" to target Swift's concerts.