Austria’s security forces conducted raids on 72 suspected Islamic extremists this week ahead of the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States, expressing concerns about the potential for similar acts of violence on the infamous date. The Directorate of State Security and Intelligence revealed that the raids took place across the country on Tuesday, just before the anniversary on Wednesday, as the 2001 incident continues to serve as a symbol for extremists and has inspired imitation attempts.
The security forces successfully prevented a planned attack last year on the anniversary at Vienna’s central station, highlighting the ongoing high risk associated with the date worldwide. These recent raids come on the heels of authorities thwarting a plot a month ago targeting Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, which were subsequently canceled. A 19-year-old Austrian individual, reportedly influenced by the Islamic State group, was identified as the main suspect who had intentions to harm thousands of fans.
The implicated 19-year-old had allegedly posted a pledge of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group online. Additionally, authorities discovered Islamic State group and al-Qaida materials at the residence of another suspect, a 17-year-old. The operations conducted on Tuesday involved raids on various prisons in Austria, as well as the questioning of suspects and the confiscation of electronic devices like cellphones to search for extremist propaganda.
Franz Ruf, Austria’s director general for public security, emphasized the necessity of collaboration between security agencies in countering extremism, possibly alluding to the Taylor Swift concert plot in his statement. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner called for enhanced authorities for investigators to better address such threats. Presently, Austrian authorities often depend on collaboration with other countries for intelligence sharing, such as in the case of the Swift concerts where information was accessed through the CIA, as Austria lacks legal provisions for monitoring text messages.
