Austrian authorities revealed on Thursday that both suspects in a thwarted plot to attack Taylor
Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna appeared to be influenced by the Islamic State group and al-
Qaida. Investigators discovered material related to these extremist organizations at the home of
the second suspect. The plot, which led to the cancellation of Swift’s concerts on Wednesday,
aimed to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue.”
“The situation surrounding the apparently planned terrorist attack in Vienna was very serious,”
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote Wednesday on X, but added that “the threat was
recognized early, combated and a tragedy prevented. US intelligence services had warned
Austrian authorities about the potential plot.
Boyfriend Travis Kelce’s new venture
While the drama unfolds in Austria, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce—a star player for the
Kansas City Chiefs—announced on Thursday that his game show, Are You Smarter Than a
Celebrity? will premiere on Amazon Prime Video starting October 16th. The show will feature
adult contestants who rely on a classroom of celebrities to answer elementary-level 11 questions
to win cash prize.
Who are the Suspects?
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots, confessed his attack
plans, the security officials said at a press conference in Vienna. They also said he was “clearly
radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels.” He even had
uploaded an oath of allegiance to ISIS on an internet account a few weeks ago per Franz Ruf, the
public security director at Austria’s Interior Ministry.
The second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian citizen with Turkish and Croatian roots, was arrested
by special police forces near the stadium where the concerts were supposed to take place this
week. He was employed a few days ago by a facility company providing services at the venue
during the concerts, The Associated Press cited Austrian security officials as saying.
Swift was set to perform a trio of sold-out shows at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna starting
Thursday, drawing an estimated crowd of 170,000. Swift’s website shared that all tickets will be
automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.
Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that Taylor Swift’s shows in London,
scheduled for later this month, will proceed as planned.
