Two arrested in Austria over suspected terror plot resulting in cancellation of Taylor Swift concerts | World News
Three Taylor Swift concerts have been cancelled after two men were arrested linked to an alleged terror plot targeting the events.
Two men have been arrested in Austria in connection with a suspected terror plot which, police said, targeted major events in Vienna, including the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts.
Federal and state police swooped on the individuals ahead of the upcoming concerts set to start on Friday, Sky News’ US partner NBC News reported.
According to Vienna state police director Franz Ruf, one of the arrested was a 19-year-old man who allegedly pledged his allegiance to terror group IS.
His arrest took place in the early hours of the morning on 7 August, with another arrest taking place in Vienna later in the day.
Police said that both men had become radicalised through the internet.
They allegedly had specific and detailed plans to carry out the attacks.
During the arrest of the 19 year old, in Ternitz, Lower Austria, officers found chemical substances which are being investigated as possible components of a bomb.
Austria’s elite ‘Cobra’ unit provided assistance during the arrests.
There were no plans to cancel the upcoming Swift concerts as a result of the arrests, police said.
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They added they will implement increased surveillance, a heavier presence of armed officers, bomb squads, police dogs, and more extensive checks in and around the upcoming concerts.
However, people attending the concerts should expect delays due to the enhanced security checks as plain-clothes officers patrol the area.
“The concrete danger has been minimised,” one police official said in the presser.
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