Attack plans in Vienna

What is known about the suspects so far

Vienna Happel Stadium

(Bild: AP)

Following the arrest of two terror suspects who are said to have planned an attack on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, the investigation is in full swing (see video above). Both the 19-year-old and the 17-year-old were born in Austria, the parents of the older suspect have roots in North Macedonia. And: The younger suspect even worked at the Happel Stadium himself ...

Which may ultimately have been the reason why the concert organizer announced the cancellation on Wednesday evening, as the "Krone" learned from investigators. The 17-year-old was arrested outside the stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The 19-year-old main suspect had probably been the focus of law enforcement authorities for some time - and had already confessed to the attack plans, as was revealed on Thursday morning. According to the report, he had been working on the preparations since July and wanted to blow himself up as well as a large crowd of people in front of the Happel Stadium.

The house of the terror suspect

(Bild: Michael Pichler)

The Ernst Happel Stadium

(Bild: AP)

Fans who waited in vain for the concert

(Bild: Tuma Alexander/Starpix / Alexander Tuma)

Pop singer Taylor Swift at a concert

(Bild: glomex)

Questioning confirmed plans since July
A total of four suspects were in focus, including a 17-year-old with Croatian and Turkish roots, who is already known to the police, and a 15-year-old Austrian with a Turkish background. The younger one confirmed the plans when he was questioned. The main suspect had changed considerably and asked him questions about ignition devices.

The situation briefly explained

• An Austrian Islamist cell planned a terrorist attack on one of the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna.
• A 19-year-old from Ternitz (Lower Austria) was arrested. He has confessed.
• A 17-year-old Austrian was arrested on the stadium grounds. He worked for a facility company that was active on the site.
• A 15-year-old Austrian was stopped. His role is not yet clear.
• According to the police, an immediate threat has been averted.

"Significant social changes"
 The Director General for Public Security, Franz Ruf, spoke of "significant social changes" in the two main suspects. "The 17-year-old broke up with his girlfriend shortly beforehand." The 19-year-old had quit his job and said he had "big plans".

He is the 19-year-old nicknamed "Mo" who was arrested in Ternitz, Lower Austria. The two had been preparing for the attack in his house. As reported, several chemical substances and technical devices were seized during a house search on Wednesday. The young man is said to have stolen the chemicals from his former employer, a metal processing company. The explosives were destroyed on site.

Counterfeit money, anabolic steroids, cutting and stabbing weapons and a blue light were also discovered. The seized cell phone contained IS material and instructions on how to make bombs and explosives. "He made his beliefs very clear online," said the head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, at a press conference. He had "conspicuously changed his appearance and adapted it to IS". Tendencies towards al-Qaeda are also conceivable.

A tragedy was prevented. The situation was and is serious.

Innenminister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP)

Information from abroad
In the Ö1 "Morgenjournal", Ruf previously confirmed that there had been information from foreign services. These had been combined with information from the DSN. "A tragedy was prevented. The situation was and is serious," emphasized Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) on Thursday.

Other people may at least have been aware of the attack plans. However, the police are no longer looking for any other people directly involved. The stadium in Vienna was already searched with dogs on Wednesday afternoon.

Neighbor Nicole with her child

(Bild: Michael Pichler)

The arrest of the 19-year-old in Ternitz led to a large-scale operation and numerous residents of the municipality were evacuated. Direct neighbor Nicole was shocked in an interview with the "Krone": "Everything is always quiet here." Nicole had to leave her apartment at 8.30 am on Wednesday and was not allowed back until 6.30 pm.

Here you can see the neighborhood of the terror suspect.

Neighbor: "Family was always nice"
 "The boy was always friendly, he has a lovely little sister, the family was always nice," says Nicole. His father works at Schöller, his mother is a housewife. What is known about "Mo" is that he has a beard, is broad and works out at the Fitfabrik. According to young people, he always walked around Ternitz alone and didn't talk to anyone. His parents were holed up in the house.