Teen confesses to terror plot at Taylor Swift show in Vienna, officials say “tragedy was prevented”

nme.com:

Taylor Swift’s shows in Vienna, and authorities have confirmed that a “tragedy was prevented” with his arrest.All three of the pop star’s shows in Vienna were cancelled earlier this week, after it was revealed that two people had been arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack during the gigs.The ‘Midnights’ singer was set to play at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium tonight (Thursday, August 8) Friday (9) and Saturday (10), but event organiser Barracuda Music confirmed last night that it had “no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety”.A 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and a second person in the Austrian capital.

It was widely reported that the former had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group, and the public security director at Austria’s interior ministry Franz Ruf confirmed that authorities were aware of “preparatory actions” for a possible attack in Austria.Now, it has been announced that the teenage suspect has fully confessed to planning a terror attack at one of the shows in Vienna.

It has also been reported that he wanted to use knives or self-made explosives outside the Ernst Happel Stadium to kill as many people as possible (via Sky News).A police search of his house reportedly led to found chemicals, explosives, knives and machete knives being found.

Authorities also identified Islamic State and al-Qaida material at the residence according to the outlet.Head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner took part in a press conference earlier today (August 8), and revealed that the 19-year-old, who is said to have North Macedonian roots, had posted an oath of allegiance to the current leader of.