Two suspects have been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack on Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in Vienna, Austria.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital – according to Franz Ruf, director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior.
The suspects – who radicalized themselves online – were planning to target Vienna in their attack – with the 19-year-old having a particular focus on Swift’s Vienna concert, Ruf confirmed.
He added that authorities were aware of ‘preparatory actions’ for a possible attack.
The 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group in early July – police said.
A bomb squad reportedly found chemical substances after raiding the 19-year-old’s home, who was suspected of possessing an explosive device – and the substances are now being evaluated to see if they could make a bomb.
The popstar, 34, is due to perform at Vienna’s Ernst-Happel-Stadion on August 8, 9, and 10 and security measures for the shows will be stepped up.
Two men have been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack on Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in Vienna, Austria – Swift is pictured performing in London in June
The shows are expected to be attended by 65,000 concertgoers per day, with an additional 10,000 to 15,000 fans outside of the area, police said.
Swift has concerts scheduled at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour. Security measures for the concerts will be stepped up.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Purst said that, while any concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security.
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