CIA Uncovers Foiled Plot to Attack Taylor Swift Shows in Vienna, Aimed at Killing Thousands

By Newsroom

Administrator

Newsroom

Posted: August 29, 2024 at 1:06 pm, Updated: August 29, 2024 at 1:13 pm

Key Points

The CIA thwarted a plot to attack Swift’s Vienna concerts, which targeted up to 95,000 fans. The plot, linked to IS, led to the cancellation of three shows.
Taylor expressed deep regret over the cancellations and thanked authorities for averting a potential tragedy. The Vienna shows were cancelled by Barracuda Music after the suspect’s arrest.
The foiled plot drew comparisons to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. CIA Deputy Director David Cohen praised the agency’s counterterrorism efforts, noting it was a significant success.

CIA Foils Plot to Attack Taylor Swift Concerts in Vienna

The CIA has revealed it thwarted a plan to attack Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna, targeting “tens of thousands” of fans. The plot was discovered before it could be executed, leading to the cancellation of three Eras Tour shows.

CIA Deputy Director David Cohen disclosed details of the foiled attack during the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland. The plot reportedly had connections to the Islamic State (IS) group.

Details of the Foiled Attack

The primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian, was allegedly inspired by IS.

He planned to carry out the attack outside the concert venue, which was expected to draw up to 30,000 fans, using knives or homemade explosives.

Another 65,000 fans were anticipated inside the stadium. Investigators found chemical substances and technical equipment during a raid at the suspect’s home.

Austria’s Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, mentioned that international intelligence support was crucial since Austrian investigators cannot legally monitor text messages.

Swift Expresses Regret Over Cancellations

Swift addressed the cancellations after her London shows, expressing deep regret. She said the reason for the cancellations filled her with “fear” and “guilt” over fans who had planned to attend.

Swift thanked authorities for preventing a potential tragedy, stating, “We were grieving concerts and not lives.”

Concert organiser Barracuda Music cancelled the Vienna shows scheduled for August 8 due to the proximity of the arrests to the event date.

The main suspect, along with a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, was arrested shortly before the cancellation announcement. Their identities have not been released under Austrian privacy laws.

Comparisons and Reactions

The plot has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, where a suicide bomber killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert. Cohen praised the CIA’s role in preventing the attack, noting that such counterterrorism successes often go unnoticed.

“I can tell you within my agency, and I’m sure in others, there were people who thought that was a really good day for Langley,” Cohen said, referring to the CIA headquarters. “And not just the Swifties in my workforce.”