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Another suspect arrested in connection to planned terrorist attack at Taylor Swift concert

​​​​​​​View Date:2024-12-23 16:27:39

Another person was taken into custody in connection with the suspected terrorist plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, 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.

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"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.

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Suspects pledged allegiance to ISIS; shows canceled

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

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