Austrian police have tightened security measures at Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
The move follows the arrest on Wednesday of two people suspected of planning Islamist attacks on major events in the Vienna area, including concerts by an American star.
The Director General of Public Security, Franz Ruf, said a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested on Wednesday morning in Ternitz, Lower Austria.
He said a second arrest was made in Vienna this afternoon, but he did not give any more information about the suspect.
“According to the current state of the investigation, two suspects turned to the Internet,” said Mr. Ruf. He said the 19-year-old made a “pledge of allegiance” to Islamic State in early July.
A major police operation took place in Ternitz, where a 19-year-old boy lived. Many nearby houses were evacuated while his house was searched.
Mr. Ruf said that chemicals have been found that are yet to be tested.
He said the police are doing everything possible to ensure that all events around Vienna take place safely, including Taylor Swift’s three concerts.
He went on to say that there will be a lot of focus on the screening of people entering his concerts that will be held at the Ernst-Happel Stadium.
Vienna’s police chief, Gerhard Pürstl, said the tangible danger had been ‘reduced’ but that an “invisible danger” remained.
He said 65,000 people a day are expected to attend these concerts, with 22,000 fans outside the venue.
Mr Pürstl said that as well as strengthening security checks in and around the concerts, special forces will be deployed in the vicinity of the stadium, as well as police dog teams and anti-terrorist units.
He warned that fans who will watch Taylor Swift’s concerts can expect delays when entering the arena, and urged people to arrive early.
The investigation is ongoing.
Source link
