A teenager accused of plotting a terror attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Austria had carried out “concrete preparatory actions”, according to officials.
Chemicals and “technical devices” were also found during a search of the home of the 19-year-old suspect, who had posted an oath of allegiance to the current leader of Islamic State to an internet account weeks earlier, they said.
The teenager, said to have North Macedonian roots, is considered the main suspect, and worked closely with a 17-year-old Austrian, general director for public security Frankz Ruf told the broadcaster ORF.
Swift was due to play at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, for an estimated 170,000 Swifties who flocked to the Austrian capital from all over the world for the sold-out events.
But event organiser Barracuda Music said in an Instagram post on Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety” after “confirmation of [the] planned terrorist attack”.
The 19-year-old is considered the main suspect, working closely with a 17-year-old Austrian, Mr Ruf said, adding the two males are part of a small group police are looking into.
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