An 18-year-old Iraqi national has been detained in Vienna as part of an investigation into a suspected plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, according to the interior ministry.
The Iraqi is believed to be connected to the primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian descent.
The main suspect, who had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS), was allegedly planning a deadly attack targeting the estimated 20,000 fans expected outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
Swift’s concerts, scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, were canceled late Wednesday due to security concerns.
In connection with the plot, two other Austrian youths, aged 17 and 15, were detained on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old has since been released and is now considered a witness, as reported by the Kurier newspaper.
The Iraqi detainee reportedly pledged allegiance to IS on August 6.
However, it remains unclear whether he was directly involved in the planned attack, according to the newspaper.
Source-Reuters
