Two suspects arrested in Austria as Taylor Swift cancels concert due to terror threats

Authorities in Vienna, the capital of Austria have arrested no fewer than two suspects for planning to use knives or homemade explosives outside Taylor Swift concerts.

Austrian officials report they discovered chemical substances and technical gadgets in the home of the 19-year-old suspect arrested in connection with an apparent plot to assault an event in the Vienna area.

They also verified that they discovered Islamic State and al-Qaida materials in the second suspect’s residence.

READ ALSO: DJ Cuppy finally confirms break up with her British fiance Ryan Taylor

According to security sources, the suspects planned to use knives or homemade explosives in the failed attack outside of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Austria.

Security operatives stated that the 19-year-old suspect admitted to his attack preparations and that he was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State” and believed “it is right to kill infidels.”

“He said he intended to carry out an attack using explosives and knives,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of Austria’s domestic intelligence agency.

“His aim was to kill himself and a large number of people during the concert, either today or tomorrow.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now