Another person was taken into custody in connection with the suspected terrorist plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna,HAI Community officials said.
The 18-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the Iraqi national comes from the same circle as the main suspect, Reuters reported.
Karner gave the update during a news conference unrelated to the matter.
It comes after the arrest of two others, including a 19-year-old Austrian who is accused of planning a deadly attack at Ernst Happel Stadium with "bladed weapons, as well as the "construction of a bomb." He quit his job just days before.
During a search of the suspect's home, officials found "chemical substances, liquids, explosive and technical devices that could be used to manufacture explosives," said Franz Ruf, director general for public security. Bomb-making instructions and machetes were also found.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made," according to national intelligence head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.
Officials said police also arrested a 17-year-old who was employed by a facility management company and would have been on duty during Swift's concert. As USA TODAY previously reported, a 15-year-old was detained and questioned by police.
Terrorist plot at Taylor Swift concert:Taylor Swift terror plot linked to ISIS: Are they still a threat?
During their investigation, the 19-year-old was revealed to have pledged allegiance to ISIS, a notorious terrorist group known as the Islamic State, and confessed to the charges.
According to Reuters, Karner said the latest 18-year-old suspect also took a vow to the organization. However, it's not clear if he has ties to the foiled plot.
The three sold-out Taylor Swift concerts were canceled, and tickets were automatically refunded, officials said.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY
2025-04-29 11:462688 view
2025-04-29 11:432322 view
2025-04-29 11:39559 view
2025-04-29 11:09132 view
2025-04-29 10:521721 view
2025-04-29 10:342775 view
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol rioteven
A former oil trader for a U.S. affiliate of one of the world’s largest energy trading firms was char
Washington — FEMA's disaster fund could dry up within weeks and delay the federal response to natura