The main suspect in the case has fully confessed to the terrorist plan to attack the Taylor Swift concert at the Ernst Happel Stadium (Austria).
What was the terrorist motive?
Taylor Swift has just canceled 3 concerts as part of her global tour The Eras Tour in Vienna (Austria), scheduled to take place from August 8-10.
The decision was announced after the police arrested 2 suspects who were planning a terrorist attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium.
The New York Post reported that all three shows were sold out, and the cancellation meant that Swift and her crew would have to bear a huge loss, in the millions of dollars.
However, due to the seriousness of the incident, the organizers had no choice but to put human life first.
Recently, the Associated Press also revealed the suspect’s testimony. Accordingly, the main suspect in the case fully confessed to the plan, affirming that he wanted to “kill as many people as possible outside the concert venue”.
Omar Haijawi-Pirchner – Director of the Austrian State Security and Intelligence Service said that the main suspect wanted to use knives or homemade explosives to attack the singer’s fans outside the stadium. The purpose of this subject was to cause a mass casualty event at the performances.
Austrian police said that each show is expected to attract around 65,000 spectators, not including the 15,000 spectators standing outside the stadium.
Taylor Swift’s three shows in Vienna, if they take place, could attract around 240,000 spectators, further demonstrating the seriousness of the incident if the terrorist attack actually happens.
Earlier, Austrian authorities said the main suspect was a 19-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin.
When police raided his home, they found a number of chemicals and technical equipment. The terrorist is believed to have successfully manufactured a bomb that he planned to attach to his car.
Meanwhile, the second suspect is an Austrian citizen of Turkish and Croatian origin, only 17 years old. He was arrested by special police forces near the Ernst Happel stadium, where Taylor was scheduled to perform three nights.
According to authorities, he was recruited by a company providing services at the concert venue a few days earlier. Sources told the German news agency Kurier that the second suspect was assigned to guard the stadium.
On August 7, on X, Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer said that he understood the decision to cancel the show was “a bitter disappointment” to fans but the incident was very serious because the terrorists had clearly planned it.
Taylor Swift fans support the decision to cancel the concert
Previously, many audiences said they supported the decision to cancel Taylor Swift’s show from the Organizing Committee.
According to CNN on August 8, Taylor Swift’s fan community (abbreviated as Swifties) gathered at Stephansplatz square, near the Ernst Happel stadium to cheer on their idol.
Here, they sing, dance to the singer’s hits, and exchange friendship bracelets – a typical accessory of Fortnight’s fans.
Many businesses in Austria also have promotions and incentives for Swifties. Some hotels show the concert film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” for free, while restaurants and bars are giving away food or offering big discounts to diners.
One of Central Europe’s largest modern art museums – Albertina – is also open to visitors for free this weekend.
Taylor Swift has not yet commented on canceling her show in Austria. According to Page Six, her boyfriend – football player Travis Kelce is very worried about the singer’s safety.
However, Kelce is said to not be able to go to Europe with Taylor Swift at this time because he has committed to the NFL (National Football League) to practice for the new season.
Swift is scheduled to perform at Wembley Stadium in England from August 15-20.
Swift is coming off her record-breaking tour, which kicked off in Glendale, Arizona in March 2023.
After London, she will head to Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis in the fall before wrapping up The Eras Tour in Canada in December.
