The suspects in the foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna earlier this month sought to kill “tens of thousands” of fans before the CIA discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests, according to the agency’s deputy director.
During the annual Intelligence and National Security Summit held this week in Maryland, CIA Deputy Director David Cohen addressed the failed plot. He revealed that Austrian authorities were notified by the CIA about the scheme, which allegedly had links to ISIS.
Cohen stated, “They were plotting to kill a huge number—tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans—and were quite advanced in this.” He also commended Austrian authorities for making arrests based on information provided by the agency and its partners in the intelligence community.
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man who was reportedly inspired by ISIS, planned to carry out an attack outside the stadium where over 30,000 fans were expected. Knives or homemade explosives would have been used. Additionally, there would have been approximately 65,000 fans inside the venue during that time. Chemical substances and technical devices were discovered during a raid at his home.
Austria’s interior minister previously mentioned that assistance from other intelligence agencies was necessary since Austrian investigators do not have legal authority to monitor text messages like some foreign services do.
The suspect’s lawyer has dismissed these allegations as exaggerated and claimed that Austrian authorities are using them as a means to gain new surveillance powers.
Taylor Swift broke her silence about these cancellations after her London shows concluded last week. She expressed concern for her fans’ safety and stated she would not speak publicly if it could potentially provoke harm towards them.
Concert organizer Barracuda Music canceled three sold-out shows in Vienna due to their proximity with regards to when arrests related to this conspiracy took place. The main suspect along with a 17-year-old accomplice were taken into custody on August 6th while another suspect aged 18 was arrested on August 8th. Their names have not been released due to privacy rules in Austria.
This incident draws comparisons with a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester back in 2017 which resulted in 22 fatalities. Cohen praised the CIA’s work in preventing violence during his speech at the summit but acknowledged that such counterterrorism successes often go unnoticed by public recognition.
Taylor Swift’s record-breaking tour is currently on hiatus until fall.
