Third Suspect, 18-Year-Old Iraqi, Detained in Taylor Swift Terror Case

(DailyVantage.com) – Authorities in Austria announced on August 9 that a third man was arrested in connection to the plot to launch terrorist attacks at singer Taylor Swift’s now-canceled concerts in Vienna.

The primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, conspired to launch a mass-casualty attack targeting Swift fans outside of Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium using explosives and knives during the concerts originally scheduled for August 8 and 9.

The 19-year-old was taken into custody on August 6 along with a 17-year-old Austrian citizen.

The third suspect was arrested on August 8. According to the Austrian Interior Minister, the suspect is an 18-year-old Iraqi citizen.

Another 15-year-old was detained and questioned but not arrested.

Under Austria’s privacy laws, the identities of the suspects are being withheld from the public.

Taylor Swift is set to cap off the European leg of her Eras Tour with five shows at London’s Wembley Stadium starting on August 15. London Mayor Sadiq Khan insisted that the concerts would “carry on” as planned.

According to Austrian authorities, the suspects were inspired by radical Islamist groups ISIS and al-Qaida, with both the 19-year-old primary suspect and his 18-year-old Iraqi accomplice pledging an “oath of allegiance” to Islamic State.

A search of the primary suspect’s home turned up bomb-making materials while ISIS and al-Qaida materials were found in the 17-year-old’s home.

So far, the Iraqi suspect has refused to speak with authorities. In the days leading up to the planned Vienna concerts, he obtained a job with a company that provides services to Ernst Happel Stadium.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said on August 9 that while the 18-year-old Iraqi is from the same “social environment” as the main suspect, he has not been directly linked to the terrorist plot.

The Interior Ministry said the arrests underscored the investigation’s broad scope and insisted that officials would take “decisive action” against those suspected of being involved in terror activities or who exhibit “radical tendencies.”