(GoRealNewsNow.com) – In a shocking revelation, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) uncovered the suspects’ frustrated plot to kill “tens of thousands” of Taylor Swift fans at her concerts in Vienna earlier this month.
The CIA said that such a plot included links to the Islamic State group, and this led to arrests and the cancellation of three sold-out shows on Swift’s Eras Tour.
This caused a major disappointment for fans who had traveled from around the world to see the concerts.
CIA Deputy Director David Cohen discussed the failed attack during the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland. He explained, “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.”
Cohen added that Austrian authorities were able to make arrests thanks to the information provided by the CIA and its intelligence partners.
The primary suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man, was reportedly inspired by the Islamic State. He allegedly planned to attack outside the stadium, where around 30,000 fans were expected, using knives or homemade explosives.
Another 65,000 fans would have been inside the venue. Investigators found chemical substances and technical devices during a raid on the suspect’s home.
The suspect’s lawyer criticized the charges, claiming that Austrian authorities exaggerated the situation to gain more surveillance powers.
In addition, Swift addressed the cancellations on Instagram after her London shows, saying, “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating.” She expressed her new fear and guilt over the situation and thanked the authorities for their efforts.
She added that she waited to speak out until after her European tour leg concluded to ensure safety.
Moreover, the concert organizer, Barracuda Music, canceled the Vienna shows that were set to begin on August 8 due to the arrests made shortly before the shows. The main suspect and a 17-year-old were detained on August 6, and a third suspect, aged 18, was arrested on August 8.
The Vienna plot was compared to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert. Cohen praised the CIA’s role in preventing the attack, noting, “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.”
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