First two arrests, then the cancellation: Threat of terrorism The organizers of the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna canceled all three planned concerts on the evening before the first date. states Organizer Barracuda Music’s website : “Due to confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three planned shows for everyone’s safety.” The tickets would be refunded within the next ten days.
on Wednesday amid a large police presence in Austria Two people were arrested on suspicion of Threat of terrorism. Among other things, they planned attacks at Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Vienna, said Franz Ruf, general director for public security in the Austrian Interior Ministry. The concerts were scheduled from Thursday to Saturday.
Suspicious substances seized-Threat of terrorism
Chemical substances were seized from a 19-year-old Austrian. This suggests that the attack plans may have been well advanced. Investigators worked there in protective suits. But what exactly the teenager was planning remained unclear.
The young man became radicalized on the Internet and a few weeks ago swore loyalty to the top of the Threat of terrorism organization Islamic State (IS), said Ruf.
Second arrest in Ternitz
According to police, he was arrested in the morning in Ternitz, 75 kilometers southwest of Vienna. A second person was arrested in Threat of terrorism Vienna in the afternoon. The police did not provide any further information.
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However, possible accomplices worried the organizers. Various media reported, citing security circles, that further suspects were being sought. Threat of terrorism The police did not want to confirm this. Little else was initially disclosed about the investigation.
Chancellor calls the situation surrounding the Taylor Swift concert “very serious”
“Thanks to the intensive cooperation of our police and the newly established DSN (Directorate of State Security and Intelligence) with foreign services, the threat was recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented,” wrote Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Wednesday evening on the platform X. The emergency services are currently investigating at full speed.
“We live in a time in which violent means are used to attack our Western way of life,” Nehammer continued. Islamist terrorism threatens security and freedom in many Western countries. It is important to remain Threat of terrorism vigilant, stand together and take decisive action against Islamism.
For all fans in Austria, the cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts is a bitter disappointment. In response to a DPA request, Swift’s management initially only referred to the organizer’s statement and did not comment on the content. The 34-year-old is said to have already been in Austria, but that has not been confirmed either.
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Threat of terrorism Vienna State Police Chief Gerhard Pürstl had announced that increased controls were originally supposed to be carried out at the concerts because of the arrests, and special forces were also to be deployed. Like all Swift concerts on the superstar’s tour, those in Vienna were sold out. There would have been 65,000 people in the Ernst Happel Stadium every evening, and the police also expected another 15,000 to 20,000 Swift fans in the area around the stadium.
Their fans, known as “Swifties,” were deeply disappointed, but also showed understanding for the cancellation. ’s Instagram post “Can’t believe it,” one wrote under Barracuda Music with the cancellation. “My heart is broken,” another wrote. Many of the musician’s supporters still described the cancellation as the right decision in view of the apparently very real Threat of terrorism.
“Abstract danger” remains
After the arrests, police were asked whether they thought it would be appropriate to cancel the concerts. Vienna State Police President Gerhard Pürstl evaded making recommendations of this kind not their job. However, he made it clear that although the arrest had minimized the concrete danger, an “abstract danger” still existed.