- In the case of the attack plans on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, the main suspect now denies all allegations.
- The 19-year-old is neither a supporter of the Islamic State (IS) nor did he plan to attack the fans of the US superstar, according to his lawyer.
The lawyer confirmed a corresponding report in the “Kronen Zeitung” to the APA news agency. After the young man’s arrest, the authorities had declared that he had made a full confession and was even boasting about his plan.
Now his lawyer said that her client just wanted to be “cool”. He had made the explosives using a tutorial he had found on the Internet. He had experimented with it and only wanted to test a bomb in the forest. At no point did he intend to kill people.
Regarding the fact that the 19-year-old owned knives and other stabbing weapons, the lawyer said: “He ordered them from Amazon because he liked them.” The man was not a terrorist, but “like a child. Immature, clueless.”
Suspect possessed knives and machetes
According to current findings, the suspect had sworn an oath of loyalty to IS and recently quit his job, announcing that “he still had big plans.” Knives, machetes and explosives were found when he was arrested. According to investigators, the suspect also had a blue light with a siren. He intended to use this to approach the fans in his car and cause a bloodbath.
Legend:
Fans of Taylor Swift gather in downtown Vienna after the cancelled concerts (8.8.2024).
Keystone/ROLAND SCHLAGER
In addition to the 19-year-old with North Macedonian roots, a 17-year-old acquaintance of his is also in custody. The 17-year-old worked as a scaffolder in the Ernst Happel Stadium, the venue for the concerts. In addition, an 18-year-old Iraqi from the main suspect’s circle has now been remanded in custody. According to investigators, although he was not involved in the plans, he also swore an oath of loyalty to IS.
In view of the terrorist threat that had become known in advance, the three performances of the 34-year-old Swift planned for August 8 to 10 were cancelled by the organizer.
