Current:Home > ContactCIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna -ForexStream
CIA: Taylor Swift concert suspects plotted to kill 'tens of thousands’ in Vienna
View
Date:2025-04-19 01:46:20
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! (742)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Agave is an increasingly popular substitute for honey and sugar. But is it healthy?
- Families say autism therapy helped their kids. Indiana’s Medicaid cuts could put it out of reach
- Yes, that’s Martha Stewart at 14. Why holiday nostalgia is healthy.
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- The 18 Hap-Hap-Happiest Secrets About Christmas Vacation Revealed
- The number of homeless people in America grew in 2023 as high cost of living took a toll
- British man pleads not guilty in alleged $99 million wine fraud conspiracy
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Quaker Oats recalls granola products because of concerns of salmonella contamination
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- 'Heartbroken': Third beluga whale 'Kharabali' passes at Mystic Aquarium in 2 years
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Stars Have a Full Cast Reunion That Will Lift Your Spirits
- Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid fined for criticizing officiating after loss to Bills
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Lions on brink of first playoff appearance since 2016 after blasting Broncos
- Houthis launch more drone attacks as shipping companies suspend Red Sea operations
- Who plays William, Kate, Diana and the queen in 'The Crown'? See Season 6, Part 2 cast
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Tiger Woods' daughter Sam caddies for him at PNC Championship in Orlando
Melania Trump says her experience with immigration process opened my eyes to the harsh realities people face
Texans' CJ Stroud to miss Sunday's game vs. Titans because of concussion
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle release virtual Christmas card
DK Metcalf's ASL teacher says Seahawks receiver brings his own flair to the language
Ukrainian drone video provides a grim look at casualties as Russian troops advance toward Avdiivka