Austrian authorities have detained a third suspect in connection with an alleged plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, the interior ministry announced on Friday. The 18-year-old Iraqi national is reportedly associated with the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots.
Investigations are ongoing, with additional suspects being questioned and properties searched. The main suspect, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), allegedly planned a deadly assault on the estimated 20,000 fans expected to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
Swift had scheduled concerts in Vienna for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but all three were canceled late Wednesday due to security concerns.
Two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, were detained on Wednesday in connection with the plot. The 15-year-old has since been released and is now being treated as a witness, according to the Kurier newspaper.
The Iraqi suspect reportedly swore allegiance to IS on August 6, though it remains unclear if he was directly involved in the planned attack.
The Austrian authorities were alerted to the threat by US intelligence, as local laws do not permit the monitoring of instant messaging apps used by the suspects to communicate.
Swift has not commented on the cancellations. British police have stated that there is no indication the Vienna plot will affect her upcoming concert in London.
