IS, al Qaeda material found at suspect’s home in foiled terror plot targeting Taylor Swift shows

Austria authorities have reportedly found Islamic State group and al Qaeda material at the house of the second and final suspect in connection with a foiled terror plot targeting US singer Taylor Swift’s shows. The country’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, said Thursday (Aug 8) that no other suspects were being pursued by the police.

“The situation was serious, the situation is serious. But we can also say: A tragedy was prevented,” he was quoted as saying in local media.

The second suspect has been identified as a 17-year-old Austrian national with Turkish and Croatian roots. He was detained by special police forces near the stadium where concerts, which now stand cancelled, were slated to take place. A 19-year-old Austrian was earlier arrested in the case. The security officials had found chemical substances and technical devices at his home earlier.

Authorities allege the two men wanted to stage attacks outside the stadium, killing as many as they could using knives and explosives.

The 19-year-old suspect confessed his dangerous plans, officials claimed, saying, he was “clearly radicalised in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels.” The second suspect was employed by a company providing services at the venue during the concerts.

The developments came as a rude shock for Taylor Swift fans across the country and the globe. Several people had spent thousands of dollars on travel and accommodation ahead of the planned concerts in Austria’s expensive capital city for the sold-out Eras Tour shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Watch:Taylor Swift shows in Vienna canceled after 2 arrested for planning terror plot

Austria’s Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler acknowledged people’s disappointment over the cancellations of shows and urged Swifties to show unity.

“For many, a dream has been shattered today. On three evenings in Vienna, tens of thousands of #Swifties should have celebrated life together,” he wrote on X.

“I am very sorry that you were denied this. Swifties stick together, hate and terror can’t destroy that,” Kogler added.

(With inputs from agencies)