An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna in connection with investigations into an alleged plot to strike a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, as confirmed by the interior ministry on Friday.
According to the ministry, the Iraqi national is believed to have ties to the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots. The main suspect, who had expressed allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), was reportedly planning a lethal assault targeting the estimated 20,000 fans, known as 'Swifties,' who were expected to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
Due to security concerns, the US popstar Taylor Swift had to cancel her planned concerts in Vienna on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This decision was made late Wednesday following the unfolding events.
Additionally, two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, were also detained on Wednesday in connection with the reported plot. The 15-year-old has since been released and is now being treated as a witness, as reported by the Kurier newspaper on Friday.
The Iraqi suspect reportedly pledged allegiance to IS on August 6. However, it remains unclear whether he was directly involved in the planned attack, as per the information provided by the newspaper.
