Current:Home > reviewsCIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna -OceanicInvest
CIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna
View
Date:2025-04-18 04:27:53
A CIA deputy said the thwarted terrorist plot at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna earlier month was intended to kill "tens of thousands" of people.
David Cohen, a CIA deputy director, got candid about the suspected terror plot to target fans of the popstar, during the Intelligence and National Security Summit, held annually in Maryland, according to the Associated Press and The New York Times.
“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 said Wednesday. “The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do.”
Taylor Swift cancels Vienna Eras tourconcerts after two arrested in alleged terror plot
Three people were arrested in relation to the suspected terrorist plot that had been planned for one of Swift's Vienna shows on Aug. 8-10, which were cancelled. The suspects are an 18-year-old Iraqi national, a 19-year-old Austrian living in a town near the Hungarian border and a 17-year-old boy hired by a company that was to provide services to the Ernst Happel Stadium.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote in a social media post that the security situation was very serious, and a tragedy was averted.
"We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety," said Barracuda Music, the promoter for the Austrian shows. "All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days."
Later, Swift broke her silence in an Aug. 21 Instagram post days after cancelling the shows on the alleged terrorist plot and her fans' safety.
"Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows," Swift wrote in the caption. "But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives."
She continued: "I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us."
Contributing: Bryan West, Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra
veryGood! (92145)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Fruit Stripe Gum and Super Bubble chewing gums are discontinued, ending their decades-long runs
- Judy Blume to receive lifetime achievement award for ‘Bravery in Literature’
- Burberry’s share price drops 10% as luxury brand warns about trading over crucial Christmas period
- Sam Taylor
- This week's news quiz separates the winners from the losers. Which will you be?
- Bill Belichick couldn't win without Tom Brady, leaving one glaring blemish on his greatness
- Carmelo Anthony: Nuggets gave Nikola Jokić No. 15 to 'erase what I did' with Denver
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Patriots have chance to make overdue statement by hiring first Black head coach
Ranking
- Small twin
- Federal appeals court grants petition for full court to consider Maryland gun law
- Greek government’s plans to legalize same-sex marriage win key opposition backing
- New York City schools feeling strain of migrant surge
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Post-pandemic burnout takes toll on U.S. pastors: I'm exhausted all the time
- DeSantis interrupted by three protesters at campaign stop days before Iowa caucuses
- The lawsuit that could shake up the rental market
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
United Airlines plane makes an emergency landing after a warning about a possible door issue
Woman investigated for trying to poison husband under direction of soap star impersonator
Google cuts hundreds of engineering, voice assistance jobs amid cost-cutting drive
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Fruit Stripe Gum to bite the dust after a half century of highly abbreviated rainbow flavors
AP Week in Pictures: North America
Maine man pleads guilty in New Year’s Eve machete attack near Times Square