Two suspected extremists were arrested in Austria on Wednesday, authorities said, after one of them appeared to be planning an attack on events in the Vienna area, including an upcoming Taylor Swift concert.
The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna. A second person was arrested in Vienna, the Austrian capital.
Franz Ruf, director of public security at Austria's Interior Ministry, said authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack “and also that the 19-year-old perpetrator's focus was on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna,” the Austrian Press Agency reported.
Ruf said the 19-year-old had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. The Austrian national is believed to have been radicalized online. Ruf said the chemicals were secured and were being evaluated. He did not elaborate.
Swift was due to perform at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour. Organizers later decided to cancel all of the concerts.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said that while the real danger had been minimized, the abstract risk was a reason to increase security. (ka/ab)
