Berlin
AP
—
Two suspected extremists have been arrested in Austria on Wednesday, considered one of whom seemed to be planning an assault on an occasion within the Vienna space resembling upcoming Taylor Swift concert events, authorities mentioned.
The 19-year-old predominant suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second particular person within the Austrian capital.
Franz Ruf, the general public safety director at Austria’s inside ministry, mentioned that authorities have been conscious of “preparatory actions” for a potential assault “and in addition that there’s a focus by the 19-year-old perpetrator on the Taylor Swift concert events in Vienna,” the Austria Press Company reported.
Ruf mentioned the 19-year-old had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The Austrian citizen is believed to have change into radicalized on the web. Ruf mentioned that chemical substances have been secured and have been being evaluated. He didn’t give extra particulars.
Swift has concert events scheduled at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as a part of her Eras Tour. Safety measures for the concert events shall be stepped up. Ruf mentioned that there could be a particular focus amongst different issues on entry checks and concertgoers ought to plan a bit extra time.
Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl mentioned that, whereas any concrete hazard had been minimized, an summary threat justified elevating safety.