Foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift gigs aimed to kill tens of thousands of fans, says CIA
THE foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift gigs aimed to kill tens of thousands of fans, the CIA says.
It revealed it discovered intelligence that disrupted the plan and led to arrests.
The US intelligence service notified Austrian authorities of last month’s Vienna plot, which allegedly included links to IS.
It led to the cancellation of three sold-out Eras Tour shows — devastating fans, some of whom who had travelled across the globe to see Swift perform.
CIA deputy director David Cohen told a summit: “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.
“The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our intelligence community partners provided information about what this IS-connected group planned to do.”
Austrian officials said the main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was inspired by IS.
He allegedly planned to attack fans outside the stadium with knives or homemade explosives.
Chemicals and technical devices were found in a raid on his home.
The main suspect and a 17-year-old were taken into custody on August 6.
A third suspect, 18, was arrested two days later.