A 19-year-old Austrian man known only as Beran A. has pleaded guilty to plotting a large-scale terror attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, a plan authorities say could have killed tens of thousands of people. The case came together after US intelligence flagged the threat and alerted Austrian officials, leading to arrests and the cancellation of multiple shows, reports the Associated Press.
The concerts, part of Swift’s Eras Tour, were called off over security concerns. Three sold-out dates in Vienna were scrapped after investigators uncovered details of the alleged plan, which authorities said was already well underway.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said the suspect had been inspired by the Islamic State. “They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert ... and were quite advanced in this,” Cohen said during remarks at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland.
According to officials, the CIA passed intelligence to Austrian authorities, who then moved in to disrupt the plot. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do,” Cohen said.
Investigators allege the suspect planned to carry out an attack outside the stadium, where about 30,000 people were expected to gather, while roughly 65,000 more would have been inside the venue. Authorities said the suspect intended to use knives or improvised explosive devices.
A search of the suspect’s home turned up chemical substances and technical equipment, according to Austrian officials.
This is a breaking news story.
The concerts, part of Swift’s Eras Tour, were called off over security concerns. Three sold-out dates in Vienna were scrapped after investigators uncovered details of the alleged plan, which authorities said was already well underway.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen said the suspect had been inspired by the Islamic State. “They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert ... and were quite advanced in this,” Cohen said during remarks at the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland.
According to officials, the CIA passed intelligence to Austrian authorities, who then moved in to disrupt the plot. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do,” Cohen said.
Investigators allege the suspect planned to carry out an attack outside the stadium, where about 30,000 people were expected to gather, while roughly 65,000 more would have been inside the venue. Authorities said the suspect intended to use knives or improvised explosive devices.
A search of the suspect’s home turned up chemical substances and technical equipment, according to Austrian officials.
This is a breaking news story.
