Explosive TATP – Swift Terror Plans: “Effect of table fireworks”

A detailed investigation report from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is now available in connection with the allegedly foiled terrorist attack on a planned Taylor Swift concert at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.

“The quantities were enough for one percussion cap”
The 26-page report shows that the 19-year-old from Ternitz manufactured the explosive TATP in small quantities. He used common chemicals such as dilute sulfuric acid, nail polish remover and hydrogen peroxide.

“The quantities were small but appear sufficient to produce a detonator,” the report said. The federal investigation could not determine the exact quantity of explosives produced because “the quantities produced and produced cannot be estimated due to the unusual mixture and the fact that preparatory reactions occur during mixing,” the BKA said.

Tomanek considers his report confirmed
The 19-year-old’s legal representative, Werner Tomanek, considers these findings as confirmation of the results of a private report he obtained. A renowned expert in the field of weapons, ammunition and explosives concluded, based on his expertise, that a seized bottle contained a TATP-containing solution with up to four grams of TATP.

The operational report of the search stated the quantity as 45 grams. The investigation report that has now been submitted makes it clear “that the so-called explosives would have had the maximum effect of table fireworks,” Tomanek said on Tuesday afternoon. The 19-year-old “certainly did not” have an explosive suitable for a terrorist attack.

Wanted to kill “Swifties” with a suicide bombing
The 19-year-old is suspected of planning a suicide attack during the second of three Taylor Swift concerts planned in Vienna on behalf of the radical Islamic terrorist militia ‘Islamic State’ (IS). Law enforcement authorities assume that he wanted to kill as many ‘Swifties’, as the pop icon’s fans are called, who had gathered in front of the stadium, either with a homemade explosive or with cutting and stabbing weapons in his possession.

During a search of the 19-year-old arrested on August 7, in addition to chemicals available at any hardware store and the liquid containing TATP, several electronic ignition devices, a twelve-channel transmitter, a detonator, a 60 centimeter long metal pipe and a combat knife of 30 centimeters long were discovered, a machete of 46 centimeters long and a butterfly knife were seized. Since then, the Viennese public prosecutor’s office has been investigating the 19-year-old for terrorist associations, criminal organizations and violations of the weapons law. A 17-year-old, who is also in custody, is considered a possible accomplice.

Pledge of allegiance to IS
It is certain that the 19-year-old had previously received plans to build a bomb and had pledged allegiance to IS on the internet. On July 29, he also tried to order a hand grenade, a Zastava M70, which is based on the technology of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, and a pistol through the Telegram courier service from the US, but his attempt failed.

It is also certain that the 19-year-old marked August 9 – the date of the second Taylor Swift concert – in a calendar entry on his mobile phone and repeatedly Googled the pop singer’s Vienna concerts.

The BKA experts also examined numerous items in the 19-year-old’s home for possible explosive remains. No such traces could be found on gloves or door handles, or on trash cans or a black shoulder bag.