Aide with family ties to Croatia prevents attack in Vienna

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the threat of a terrorist attack at a concert in Vienna by US pop star Taylor Swift was very serious, but thanks to cooperation between Austrian and foreign authorities it was identified at an early stage and a possible tragedy was averted, the chancellor said in an announcement. Nehammer acknowledged that the cancellation of the pop singer’s concert was disappointing for her fans but stressed that authorities had no choice.

An armed 19-year-old man took a photo of himself and Austrian security services claimed he was the mastermind of a terrorist attack at a concert of superstar pop star Taylor Swift.

– He follows a lot of media, a lot of propaganda. Yesterday, when we seized his phone, we saw that he not only follows these media, but also spreads their ideas. In addition, he downloaded bomb-making manuals – we also seized these manuals, he said Omar Khajawi PirshnerDirector of the Austrian Security Service.

He quit his job two weeks ago and is believed to have been preparing a bloody campaign ever since.

He admitted that he planned to use cold weapons and to complete the attack by activating a bomb he was carrying. He also had two helpers. All three were linked to radical Islamic groups with terrorism ties and were previously known to police. One of the 17-year-olds was of Turkish-Croatian descent, according to Austrian police.

– It is certain that he is not a Croatian citizen, but refers to someone who has a Croatian passport but has family ties to Croatia, he said. Daniel GruncicAmbassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Republic of Austria.

– We are in close communication with our Austrian colleagues regarding persons connected with the planned attacks. As for the persons under the supervision of our Austrian colleagues, it seems that they have never been to or passed through Croatia. As for the young man of Croatian origin, according to our records, he has also never been registered as a resident, transit and citizen on the territory of the Republic of Croatia, MUP announced.

To all those who are hesitant about going to Vienna, the ambassador said Vienna is safe.

The main suspect admitted to planning the attack

Austria’s Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that a 19-year-old suspect had admitted to planning a terrorist attack on a concert by American musician Taylor Swift, leading to the cancellation of the concert. Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, director of national security and intelligence affairs at the Austrian Interior Ministry, said he planned to use bombs and sharp objects to kill people before the musician’s performance.

The arrested 19-year-old man did not have tickets for the concert, so he planned the attack next to the Ernst Happel Stadium. The official said he was part of an Islamist network that was already under police scrutiny. The suspect had been researching how to make a bomb online and told investigators he planned to kill himself and a group of people today or tomorrow. He and another person were arrested the day before the concert on suspicion of planning attacks on major events in Vienna, including a Taylor Swift concert.

Names have not been released due to Austrian data protection rules, but information about the suspect’s origins has been released.

– He said that for a long time Europe has been dealing with second and third generation citizens of nationalities such as Arabs, Muslims, Bosnians, etc., who have become radicalized and are even more radical than their teachers. Ante Letica, Security policy expert.

Two people were arrested and several others are wanted

In Austria, the alleged organizers of the attack were arrested, one in Vienna and another in the town of Ternitz, south of the capital. According to media reports, police are looking for several more people in connection with the planned attack on Taylor Swift’s concert, but police have not yet confirmed this information, according to German news agency dpa. Chemical components were found on the arrested 19-year-old Austrian. Austrian newspapers report that he intended to use them to make a bomb.

——In early July, the suspects swore allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State, and then carried out specific preparations for terrorist attacks. The deactivation department of the Special Forces Administration received a call because of the suspicion of explosives in the residence. The director of the Public Security Bureau said that we believe their goal is to launch an attack in the wider area of ​​Vienna. Franz Ruff.

He added that police were “determined” that the 19-year-old had turned his attention to Taylor Swift concerts. He was arrested on Wednesday morning in the town of Ternitz, 75 kilometers southwest of Vienna, according to police. In the afternoon, another person was arrested in Vienna. Police have not yet released further details, including the relationship between the two men. Their identities have not been released.

Suspect steals chemicals at work

A 19-year-old Austrian citizen suspected of terrorism who planned to attack American pop star Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna stole chemicals and made a bomb at work, the Courier reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The 19-year-old planned to drive his car into the crowd expected to appear outside the stadium and also considered using a machete and a knife, the newspaper reported.

Austria’s interior ministry public security chief said he took specific steps in planning the attack and that chemicals were found during a search of his apartment. Franz Ruff. ‘Certainly, we are investigating their broader circumstances,’ Roof said, adding that the threat had been minimized following the arrest.

Ruff said a search of the main suspect’s home in the town of Ternitz near the Hungarian border showed “concrete preparations” had been made and that chemical substances and technical equipment had been seized.

‘Swifties’ shocked by concert cancellations

Taylor Swift’s official WhatsApp fan page was left in shock and disbelief after it was announced that three Vienna concerts had been cancelled due to a possible terrorist attack. The administrators were inundated with thousands of messages.

Mary SerenigerA 15-year-old girl, who had travelled from the southern Alps to watch the show with her aunt, had spent months planning her outfit for the concert. “I’m just shocked and very sad. But I can also understand that Taylor Swift wouldn’t dare go on stage in these circumstances,” she told AFP.

– In fact, I have nothing to say, Flora said Zoe CopperwinThe 20-year-old student added that she felt “sorry for those who have travelled so far to come here”.

– I can’t believe that the concert I’ve been waiting for more than ten years is gone. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this,” said one upset fan. Another stressed that safety comes first, saying: “Honestly, although I feel sad about this, I would rather all the tourists and myself be protected from any threats. This decision is the right one.”

Another fan agreed, referring to the concert attack Ariana Grande In 2017, 22 young people were killed in Manchester.

195,000 people at the concert and 20,000 outside the stadium

Taylor SwiftThe most popular musician in the world right now was supposed to bring her record-breaking “Eras” tour to Vienna on Thursday, which kicked off its European leg in Paris in May. After France, the tour also stopped in Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Poland, having a significant impact on the local economy at each stop.

Around 195,000 people are expected to attend the three sold-out concerts at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, while around 20,000 additional fans will attend the concerts outside the stadium. Their ticket money will be refunded.

– We are disappointed. We dreamed about this for 13 months. We bought two tickets more than a year ago. “We made about 180 bracelets for the entire fan community, and that’s how we got to know each other,” said Emma from Hungary.

The bracelet, a symbol of Taylor Swift’s fans, was also prepared by Katarina from Zagreb.

– The girls who have already been to Vienna, they are going back home because they do not feel too safe, but we, for example, are still not sure whether to go, because we cannot get a refund. In a few days, when we see more information, we will evaluate the situation, says Katharina.

Despite the material losses that would have resulted from cancelling the concert, Austrian authorities said the threat was serious and tragedy had been averted.

Cancellation of Vienna concert will not affect London concert

British police said there were no signs that a planned attack on singer Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna could affect her concert next week at London’s Wembley Stadium, where the singer planned to perform the final five concerts of her European tour.

Taylor Swift will return to Wembley on August 15 for five nights before heading back to North America for the final shows of her “Eras” tour, which has reportedly become the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.

– A London Metropolitan Police spokesman said there was no indication that the incident being investigated by Austrian authorities would have an impact on the upcoming events in London.

London’s Metropolitan Police said millions of visitors every year are safe and comfortable at high-profile events in London, including concerts. Bruce Springsteen Performing at Wembley in July.

“Police are working closely with security teams and other partners to ensure adequate safety conditions exist. As always, we will continue to monitor any new information closely,” the spokesperson said.