Lawyer for Suspect in Taylor Swift Vienna Threat Says Allegations Are Exaggerated

The lawyer for the main suspect in the alleged threat to attack the since-canceled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria, claims that the way authorities presented the case is exaggerated.

“He had neither the means nor the possibility and the explosives to carry this out,” Defense lawyer Werner Tomanek said, per Associated Press. He added that “the alleged attack plans were pure fantasies.”

Tomanek said that his client had admitted “in principle to Islamist tendencies” because “he found it cool.”

Associated Press previously reported that the main suspect in the case, a 19-year-old male, confessed that he planned to “kill as many people as possible” outside Ernst Happel Stadium, where Swift was scheduled to perform from August 8 to 10.

In a statement on Wednesday (Aug. 7), Barracuda Music, the concert promoters for the Austrian shows said, “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety. All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.”

The person identified as the main plotter reportedly quit his job and “conspicuously changed his appearance and adapted to IS [Islamic State] propaganda,” despite his North Macedonian roots. Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, Austria’s head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, said the suspect wanted to use knives or homemade explosives to attack Swifties outside the stadium at the event, which was expected to draw more than 195,000 fans.

Authorities also said that I.S. and al-Qaida materials were found at the home of a second, 17-year-old Austrian suspect, who was reportedly recently hired by a company that provides services at the venue. Both suspects are currently in custody.

Swift is currently set to perform at London’s Wembley Stadium over five sold-out nights from August 15 to 20.

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