Austria to Enhance Counter-Terrorism Measures Following Foiled ISIS Plot

Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced new counter-terrorism initiatives, including increased surveillance powers, following a foiled ISIS-inspired plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. Measures include decrypting messaging apps, tightening assembly rules against political Islam, deradicalizing extremists, and pre-trial detention for youth suspects. Privacy law disputes persist.

Chancellor Karl Nehammer declared on Tuesday the introduction of enhanced counter-terrorism measures after a suspected ISIS-inspired plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna was thwarted last week. In a post on platform X, Nehammer mentioned a set of actions to enable 'decisive action against terrorist activities' and linked to a media report detailing plans to strengthen domestic intelligence services.

The referenced report in Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung outlined four key points, including granting security services the authority to monitor communications on messaging apps, which is currently prohibited in the country. Nehammer, a conservative aiming for re-election next month, emphasized the necessity for intelligence agencies to gain more power to decrypt messages after the alleged plot was discovered.

Opinion polls indicate that Nehammer's Austrian People's Party (OVP) faces significant competition from the far-right Freedom Party, which is leading the race for the Sept. 29 parliamentary election. The FPO criticizes what it terms the 'Islamisation' of Austria and has vowed to prohibit political Islam.

Nehammer is expected to present his plans at a national security council meeting later on Tuesday. According to the Kronen Zeitung, his package includes proposals to combat political Islam by enforcing stricter assembly rules for groups perceived as anti-democratic.

Additionally, the measures aim to deradicalize extremists and include provisions for mandatory pre-trial detention of youth suspects involved in severe crimes. Nehammer's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Austria maintains stringent privacy laws regarding personal data, and attempts by the OVP to facilitate communication monitoring have been stalled due to disagreements with its Green coalition partners.

(With inputs from agencies.)