Security Threat Cancels Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna
Three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna this week have been canceled after authorities arrested two men in an apparent plot to attack a public event in the Vienna area.
The announcement was made by concert organizers Barracuda Music late Wednesday after Austrian authorities said they had arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly planning an Islamist attack in the Vienna area. I was arrested and suggested that Swift’s shows were a “focus.” The plot
The man, who had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group “in recent weeks”, was taken from the capital in Lower Austria on Wednesday morning, Austria’s top security chief Franz Ruf told a press conference. Detained about an hour away.
“We have established similar preparatory actions and also a 19-year-old offender’s focus on Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna,” Roof said.
The man, an Austrian national, is believed to have become radicalized on the internet. A chemical substance was seized from the suspect’s home and is being evaluated, Roof said.
Another person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was arrested in Vienna.
Swift was scheduled to play at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
In an Instagram post late Wednesday, Barracuda Music cited “confirmation” of a planned stadium attack by government officials, saying: “We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety. There is no choice.”
The venue was sold out for the planned concerts, and an estimated 170,000 fans were expected, APA reported.
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In 2017, a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people. Attacker Salman Abedi detonated the bomb at the end of Grande’s concert at the Manchester Arena as thousands of young fans were leaving.
An official inquiry last year found that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, did not act quickly enough on vital information and missed a key opportunity to prevent the bombing, Britain’s deadliest extremist attack in recent years. .
In November 2020, a convicted Islamic State group sympathizer went on a shooting spree in central Vienna, killing four people and injuring 23 others, before being shot dead by police. It was the country’s first deadly jihadist attack.
Why were Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna canceled?
The concerts were canceled due to an apparent plot to attack a public event in the Vienna area. Austrian authorities arrested two men, one of whom was allegedly planning an Islamist attack and had focused on Taylor Swift’s concerts.
What evidence was found related to the plot?
Authorities seized a chemical substance from the suspect’s home, which is currently being evaluated. The suspect had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group in recent weeks.
Has there been a similar incident in the past involving a concert?
Yes, in 2017, a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people. An inquiry found that Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, did not act quickly enough on vital information that could have prevented the bombing.
What are the authorities doing to ensure public safety?
Austrian authorities are investigating the incident thoroughly, have arrested the suspects, and are evaluating the chemical substance found. They are also likely enhancing security measures for public events in the future.
Has Vienna experienced terrorist attacks before?
Yes, in November 2020, a convicted Islamic State group sympathizer went on a shooting spree in central Vienna, killing four people and injuring 23 others before being shot dead by police.
Who was arrested in connection with the plot?
A 19-year-old Austrian national was arrested for allegedly planning an Islamist attack. Another person believed to have been in contact with the suspect was also arrested.
