After two men were arrested by Austrian authorities on August 7 for allegedly planning a series of attacks across major events in Austria, including Taylor Swift’s concerts, details emerged about the suspects. One of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, had reportedly pledged allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS.
Franz Ruf, Director-General for Public Safety in the Ministry of the Interior, and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl stated that both men were allegedly radicalized online and had detailed plans for carrying out an attack.
Shortly after the arrests, event organizers announced that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna would be canceled. Swift had initially planned to perform in the Austrian capital for three nights. She has now spoken publicly about the incident for the first time.
Posting a photo on Instagram to mark the end of the European leg of the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift wrote in the caption: “Having our Vienna shows canceled 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.
“But I was also so grateful to the authorities because, thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.
“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 who were 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.”
She continued: “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.
“In cases like this one, ‘silence’ is actually showing restraint and waiting to express yourself at a time when it’s right to. My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that.”
It remains unclear whether or not Swift will perform in Vienna anytime soon.
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