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Third person in custody over foiled terror plot targeting Taylor Swift concert

By Daniel Miller
Updated  August 9, 2024 11:37am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX TV Digital Team
article

FILE-Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Stadion Letzigrund Zürich on July 09, 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Noam Galai/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

The Brief

    • The third suspect, identified by police as an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen, was arrested Thursday.
    • Authorities also arrested a 19-year-old and 17-year-old earlier this week in connection with the terror plot inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.
    • Police found bomb-making items at the 19-year-old’s home, and Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the 17-year-old’s home.

A third person was arrested related to a thwarted plot to attack three now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts. 

Austrian authorities said Friday that the third suspect, an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen, was arrested Thursday evening.

The main suspect, a 19-year-old, planned to target people gathered outside Ernst Happel Stadium — up to 30,000 each night, with another 65,000 inside the venue — with knives or homemade explosives during the concert on Thursday or Friday, the Associated Press reported. 

RELATED: Taylor Swift concert terror plot inspired by ISIS, Austrian officials say

Three Taylor Swift concerts canceled after terror threat

Officials in Vienna announced the arrest of the people behind an apparent plot to launch an attack. Taylor Swift was scheduled to perform in Vienna as part of her Eras Tour. The main suspect, a 19-year-old, was arrested in Ternitz, which is south of Vienna. A second person was arrested in the Austrian capital. Hal Kempfer, national security expert, joins LiveNOW from FOX.

According to authorities, the individual hoped to "kill as many people as possible" and he was taken into custody on Tuesday, along with a 17-year-old, both are Austrian citizens.

The AP reported that a 15-year-old was questioned but not arrested. Their names were not released based on Austrian privacy rules.

RELATED: Taylor Swift’s Vienna concerts canceled after plot to attack event uncovered

Authorities told the AP that the plot was inspired by the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. The main suspect, and the 18-year-old arrested Friday, pledged allegiance to the group.

Police found bomb-making materials at the main suspect’s home, and Islamic State group and al-Qaida material at the 17-year-old’s home.

The three sold-out Swift concerts in Vienna were canceled this week because of the planned attack, disappointing Swift fans worldwide who spent thousands to attend the Eras Tour Shows at Ernst Happel Stadium.

The Source

Information for this story is provided by the Associated Press.  This story was reported from Washington, D.C.