Published on 08/08/2024 – 12:30 GMT+2•Last updated 18:37
Organizers of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna have announced the cancellation of shows scheduled for this week, after authorities said they had foiled a possible plot to target the event. Swift was scheduled to hold three concerts at the Ernst Happel Arena in the Austrian capital on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as part of her world tour “Eras Tour”.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner explained that the fraud attack was planned for Thursday or Friday, saying: “The two suspects did not have a ticket to attend any of the shows.”
He noted that the information service Austria He worked closely with foreign intelligence services to arrest the teenagers.
He explained that help was needed because Austrian investigators, unlike some foreign agencies, cannot legally monitor text messages.
Karner confirmed that no other suspects were being sought, although police questioned a 15-year-old teenager who had been in contact with the two suspects.
He said: “The situation is dangerous. But we can say we prevented a tragedy.”
Who are the two suspects planning the attack?
On Tuesday, Austrian authorities announced the arrest of two suspects who were allegedly inspired by… Islamic State Group ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
The names of the two have not been released in accordance with Austrian privacy rules.
One of them, a 19-year-old man, was arrested in Ternez, South Vienna.
The Director of Public Security at the Ministry of the Interior of Austria, Frans Ruff, noted that during the raid on his home, investigators found chemicals and technical tools indicating “concrete preparation work.” “
He said the suspect had pledged allegiance to himISIS“.
For his part, the head of the Directorate of State Security and Police, Omar Hijawi Birchner, said that the suspect “wanted to carry out an attack outside the stadium, which could have the largest number of people killed using knives or even using explosive devices that he made.”
He said he was “clearly very rebellious towards the leadership of ISIS and believed it was right to kill infidels.”
The other man is Austrian, 17 years old, and was arrested in the capital.
According to allegations by the Austrian authorities, items were found To ISIS The coin is in his house.
A few days ago, the young man worked for a company that provides services at concert venues, and he was arrested by special police forces near the stadium.
NoticeOfficials said that this young man is of origin Turkish Croatia, and has so far refused to comment on these allegations.
The cancellation came hours after authorities announced enhanced security measures for parties, including stricter measures on entry checks.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Borzel said: “The increased security level was justified because there was a public danger.”
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, on stage X, described the cancellation as a “bitter disappointment” for fans, but expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation of local and foreign authorities. to recognize the danger early and prevent a disaster.
NoticeBarracuda Music confirmed that all tickets will be automatically refunded within the next ten days, while many Swift fans expressed their deep sadness on social media , expressing their disappointment at missing the opportunity to attend the concerts.
The concerts in Vienna were sold out, with an expected attendance of around 170,000 fans. The cancellation of the concerts sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some expressing their deep sadness and regret for the huge efforts they had put into preparing for the show.
In recent years, major music events and venues in Europe have been the main targets of mass attacks by Islamic extremists.
Fans remembered the terrible attack that happened there Ariana Grande concert In Manchester in 2017, which killed 22 people. This attack contributed to raising awareness of the importance of strengthening security measures at large events.
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