Iraqi teen arrested in Vienna after Taylor Swift terror attack plot foiled

Austrian officials apprehended an 18-year-old Iraqi national on Friday, according to the country’s interior minister, as part of an investigation into a alleged ISIS-inspired conspiracy to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.

After Austrian officials claimed to have uncovered a terror plot for Swift’s Eras tour in Vienna, organizers made the unprecedented decision on Thursday to postpone three of the gigs in the country.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner asserted a connection between the Iraqi and the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian ancestry.

Karner said that it is yet unknown if the Iraqi suspect had any connection to the planned assault, despite the fact that he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization on August 6.

As they delve further into the conspiracy, detectives will interrogate other individuals and inspect additional homes, he said.

Security concerns led to the cancellation of the three gigs; the primary suspect had also pledged allegiance to IS and was planning a murderous attack on the estimated 20,000 “Swiftie” supporters expected to gather outside Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.

The 19-year-old resigned from his job only two weeks before the incident, claiming he “had big plans,” and officials believe he has confessed fully while in detention.

The suspected scheme led to the Wednesday detention of two more Austrian youngsters, ages 17 and 15.

Karner claims that despite working for a company that provided services at the stadium, the 17-year-old has so far refused to provide proof.

The police previously knew the young man, who appears to have also become radicalized.

The authorities are still questioning the 15-year-old extensively, according to Karner.

According to reports, U.S. intelligence alerted Austrian officials about the Swift concert threat, but because of legal restrictions, Austrian authorities were unable to monitor the suspects’ use of instant messaging applications.

It is critical and mutually beneficial to cooperate with international partners and services. “This allowed us to avoid a tragic event in Vienna,” said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Swift, who has a gig in London next week, has been mum about the postponements.

The British authorities have said that they have not found any evidence that the scheme in Vienna may impact the London performance.