Iraqi teen detained in Vienna after Taylor Swift attack plot foiled

BERLIN – Arabtelegraph – An 18-year-old Iraqi national was detained in Vienna in connection with investigations into an alleged plot to strike a Taylor Swift concert in the Austrian capital, the interior ministry said on Aug 9.

The Iraqi national is said to have come from the same circle as the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, according to the ministry.

The main suspect, who had vowed loyalty to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), was planning a lethal assault among the estimated 20,000 “Swiftie” fans set to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.

The US popstar had planned concerts in Vienna on Aug 8, Aug 9 and Aug 10. All three were cancelled late on Aug 7 over security concerns.

Two other Austrian youths aged 17 and 15 were detained on Aug 7 over the reported plot.

The 15-year-old has meanwhile been released and is being treated as a witness, the Kurier newspaper reported on Aug 9.

The Iraqi suspect is reported to have sworn allegiance to ISIS on Aug 6, but it remains unclear whether he had anything to do with the planned attack, the newspaper reported.