Friends of one of the suspects arrested for the foiled ISIS attack at a Taylor Swift concert were reportedly hired as security guards and stewards for the show.
The alleged associates were hired by a security company and by a stewarding service to help with the setup for Taylor's Vienna show. Two men were arrested after plotting to carry out a terror attack at the concert.
A 19-year-old Austrian citizen was initially arrested before a second suspect was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon . The men were alleged to have been planning an attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium when Taylor was set to perform three sold-out shows on her Eras Tour from Thursday to Saturday.
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The people allegedly hired as security guards and stewards were said to be friends of the 19-year-old man who has been arrested, according to Kurier . The 19-year-old man who has been arrested had been living with his parents in Ternitz, a province in Lower Austria near Vienna. The second man currently remains unidentified.
Police found chemicals and substances in the home of the first man, but authorities have yet to determine if the substances could be used to build a bomb. The arrests were conducted by Austria's Cobra unit.
According to Kronen Zeitung , an Austrian publication, the 19-year-old suspect planned to make explosives and took chemicals from his workplace. It is not known what if he was going to do with the explosives.
The 19-year-old, an Austrian national, is alleged to have recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic terrorist group ISIS last July. The second man was also allegedly radicalized through the internet. Both men had detailed plans concerning a terrorist attack, according to officials.
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Austrian Director General for Public Safety Franz Ruf said at a news conference Wednesday: "The suspected perpetrator was focused on the Taylor Swift concerts. Preparatory actions were detected. A concrete threat has been averted."
Taylor's three upcoming shows in Vienna have been canceled as a result of the foiled ISIS attack. An official announcement from Barracuda Music stated: "Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Vienna shows canceled due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack.
"With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel stadium. We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone's safety."
The statement concluded: "All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days. For more information please visit: https://OEticket.com/help/updates." Taylor is yet to speak out on the situation.
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