– The alleged perpetrator focused on Taylor Swift’s concerts. Preparatory work has been uncovered. We also know that he swore allegiance to IS a few weeks ago, says Austria’s national security director Franz RUF, according to the newspaper Kronen Newspaper.
RUF says the police have seized chemicals from the man’s home, and that these will be evaluated. He did not provide any further details.
The tip must have come from foreign security authorities.
Thousands evacuated
The 19-year-old, who has roots in North Macedonia, was arrested early Wednesday morning. The arrest triggered a police operation which led to the evacuation of almost half of the inhabitants of the small town in Lower Austria. Ternitz, which is located an hour from the capital Vienna, has just under 15,000 inhabitants.
In addition, one person has been arrested in Vienna. So far, the investigation suggests that both suspects have been radicalized online.
65,000 audience members
Considering that the superstar’s three concerts in the Austrian capital are sold out, an attack could have major consequences. 65,000 people are expected at each concert.
Vienna’s police chief Gerhard Pürstl says the concrete threat to the weekend’s concerts has been minimised, but that there is still an abstract threat which means that security measures are stepped up. This means, among other things, stricter access control at the concerts, which are held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
There are currently no plans to cancel the concerts.
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2024-08-08 00:24:57