An individual accused of declaring loyalty to the Islamic State group and scheming to carry out an attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna has admitted guilt.
The trial of a 21-year-old Austrian citizen identified as Beran A. has commenced in Austria, almost two years after the thwarting of the concert attack plan and the subsequent cancellation of Swift’s three shows in August 2024.
Following the cancellation, fans who had traveled to Austria for Swift’s Eras Tour performances united to transform Vienna into a hub for exchanging friendship bracelets and engaging in singalongs.
According to reports from Austrian outlets Kurier and Kronen Zeitung, the defendant confessed to charges linked to the concert scheme during the trial. The specific additional charges he pleaded guilty to were not immediately disclosed.
The defendant is facing allegations of terrorist activities and association with a terrorist group, with his lawyer indicating a intention to admit to most charges. If convicted, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Alongside a co-defendant known as Arda K., the accused had planned coordinated assaults in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan in 2024 under the banner of the Islamic State group. However, no attacks were carried out by Beran A. or Arda K.
Only Beran A. was implicated in the plot targeting attendees outside Ernst Happel Stadium during Taylor Swift’s concerts, intending to use knives or homemade explosives to cause harm to the crowds. The suspect had purportedly aimed to cause mass casualties, as reported by authorities in 2024. Intelligence provided by the U.S. led to the decision to cancel the concerts.
The accused, Beran A., allegedly communicated with other Islamic State group members before the planned attack, discussing weapon procurement and bomb-making. He was also said to have sought illegal weapons acquisition in the days leading up to the performance, in addition to swearing allegiance to the militant organization.
On August 7, 2024, authorities conducted a search of the defendant’s residence and discovered materials for making explosives, a day before the scheduled concerts. Swift expressed her dismay over the cancellations in a statement on Instagram two weeks later, acknowledging the fear and guilt felt due to the impact on attendees.
The trial is taking place in Wiener Neustadt, situated about an hour south of Vienna, with the proceedings scheduled to resume on May 12.
In connection with the coordinated attack plan in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE, prosecutors have also filed terrorism-related charges against Arda K.
A third individual involved in the scheme, Hasan E., allegedly assaulted a security guard with a knife at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in March 2024. Hasan E. was detained and remains in custody in Saudi Arabia pending trial, as stated by Austrian prosecutors.
Beran A. and Arda K. did not execute their plans in Turkey and the UAE. Beran A. returned to Vienna where he allegedly started devising a strategy to target a Taylor Swift concert.
The foiled Vienna plot drew parallels to a 2017 incident when a suicide bomber attacked an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, claiming 22 lives. The deadliest extremist attack in recent years in the United Kingdom, the bomb went off as fans were exiting Grande’s show.
We and our partners across Reach entities utilize device information, including cookies, to enhance site experience, analyze usage patterns, and display personalized ads. You can opt-out of data sharing or sales by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button on the webpage. Your preferences are specific to each browser. Using our site or services signifies your acceptance of cookie use and consent to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.