U.S. officials have confirmed their role in identifying a suspected terrorist plot planned for a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna this weekend.
During a Friday briefing, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said the U.S. provided information to Austrian authorities, who have made several arrests in relation to the alleged foiled attack.
“We work closely with partners all over the world to monitor and disrupt threats,” Kirby said. “And so as part of that work, the United States did share information with Austrian partners to enable the disruption of a threat to Taylor Swift’s concerts there in Vienna.”
Three people have been arrested in relation to the suspected terrorist plot. The suspects are an 18-year-old Iraqi national, a 19-year-old Austrian living in a town near the Hungarian border, and a 17-year-old boy who had been hired by a company that was to provide services to the Ernst Happel Stadium.
A 15-year-old was questioned by police about his possible role in the scheme. According to the Vienna-based Kurier newspaper, the 15-year-old was allowed to go home after being questioned as a witness and was not considered a suspect.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
What we know about the alleged terrorist plot planned for Taylor Swift’s shows
On Wednesday, after Vienna Federal Ministry of the Interior officials confirmed arrests were made in relation to “planned attacks at major events,” Swift’s three planned shows at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday were canceled “for everyone’s safety,” according to the Austrian shows’ promoter.
Swift has yet to speak out on the alleged terrorist plot.
Austrian security officials said the 19-year-old suspect had been consuming Islamist propaganda and planned an attack on fans involving “bladed weapons as well as the construction of a bomb,” according to a press release provided by the Vienna Federal Ministry of the Interior on Thursday.
During a search of his home, officials found “chemical substances, liquids, explosive and technical devices that could be used to manufacture explosives,” said Franz Ruf, director general for public security. Bomb-making instructions and machetes were also found.
‘Inspiring and healing’:Thousands of fans flood Vienna streets to sing Taylor Swift hits
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made,” according to national intelligence head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.
The suspect, who had recently quit his job and said he had “big plans,” swore allegiance to ISIS and fully confessed to the charges against him, officials said. Austrian authorities are not searching for any more suspects.
London’s Metropolitan Police has confirmed Swift’s five concerts at Wembley Stadium next week should not be impacted.
Contributing: Michael Collins and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY; Rachel More and Miranda Murray, Reuters
News
QQ – Taylor Swift Blames Instagram for…
In a bizarre twist to an already turbulent week, Taylor Swift has pointed the finger at Instagram for her recent mass exodus of followers following her endorsement…
QQ – Patrick Mahomes gives a strong warning to Travis Kelce
The Chiefs are bracing for the worst as Rice will undergo an MRI on his knee on Monday. Following Rashee Rice’s injury, Patrick Mahomes has sent his…
QQ – Taylor Swift’s reaction to Travis Kelce backlash REVEALED
Taylor Swift has enacted a ‘mission’ to help her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, get back into elite shape following his dip in performance to start the NFL season….
QQ – Shockιпg FBI Footɑge
Iп ɑ seпsɑtιoпɑl ɑпd eпtιгely uпveгιfιed гuмoг cιгculɑtιпg oпlιпe, ιt’s beιпg clɑιмed thɑt the FBI hɑs ɑllegedly гeleɑsed footɑge of ɑ ρɑгty—dubbed ɑ “fгeɑk off”—hosted by Seɑп…
‘THE WAR IS OVER’: Alyssa Thomas SUSPENDED For RACIST ASSAULT On Caitlin Clark! THIS IS HUGE!-Thung
The post-game incident involving Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun has sparked a heated debate, centering not just on her on-court performance but also on a larger…
“It’s over for Caitlin Clark”: Indiana Fever Drops Bombshell On Caitlin Clark and Teammate After THIS Happened & It SHOCKED The WNBA!-Thung
The Indiana Fever, a once-dominant force in the WNBA, are undergoing a monumental shift that could define their future for years to come. On September 30th, the…
End of content
No more pages to load