An Austrian court sentenced a 21-year-old man to 15 years in prison for planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago. The defendant, identified as Beran A. due to Austrian privacy laws, faced charges linked to the concert plot among other offenses, according to the Austria Press Agency.
During the trial’s opening day last month, his lawyer confirmed that Beran A. admitted to plotting the attack. Despite the plot being foiled by authorities, Swift’s three performances scheduled for August 2024 were canceled as a precaution.
I would just like to say that I am sorry,Beran A. said in his final remarks to the court.
Authorities reported that he allegedly intended to use knives or homemade explosives against those attending the concert at Ernst Happel Stadium. The venue was set to host tens of thousands of ‘Swifties,’ fans of the American pop star, eager to witness her record-breaking Eras Tour.
Prosecutors revealed that Beran A. collaborated with Islamic State group members before the planned attack. Conversations involved procuring weapons and bomb-making materials. Investigations led to the discovery of bomb components at his apartment on August 7, 2024, a day before the concerts were to commence.
As a reaction to the incident, Taylor Swift expressed her feelings via Instagram, sharing her distress over the unexpected cancellations. 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, she wrote.
In court proceedings, Beran A. was tried alongside another individual, Arda K. Both, along with a third suspect, Hasan E., allegedly plotted attacks in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE during Ramadan 2024, on behalf of ISIS.
Beran A. alone faced charges regarding the concert plot. The court found both defendants guilty of traveling and training for terrorism, and participating in a terrorist organization. Additionally, they were convicted of attempted murder, relating to Hasan E.’s stabbing of a security officer in Mecca in March 2024, which also involved attacks on three other officers and a woman.