An Austrian court has convicted Beran A., a 21-year-old Austrian citizen, of planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for charges including those related to the concert plot.
The state court in Wiener Neustadt found Beran A. guilty based on evidence presented during the trial, according to the Austria Press Agency. His defense attorney confirmed that Beran admitted guilt related to the concert plot during the opening day of the trial last month.
The planned attack was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift’s three performances in August 2024. Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans, known as Swifties, had traveled to Austria for the American singer’s Eras Tour. Many gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate over the cancellations.
Beran A. allegedly planned to target people outside the Ernst Happel Stadium with knives or homemade explosives. Prosecutors stated that Beran A. also networked with members of the Islamic State group ahead of the attack, discussing weapon purchases and bomb-making plans. Authorities found bomb-making materials at Beran’s apartment on August 7, 2024.
Swift wrote a statement to Instagram two weeks later, expressing her devastation over the cancellations and the fear they filled her with due to the potential threat from IS.
Beran A. was tried alongside Arda K., another 21-year-old whose full name is unknown. They planned simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan 2024 on behalf of IS. Hasan E., a third man arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia, allegedly attacked three security officers and a woman before being apprehended.
Both Beran A. and Arda K. were found guilty of charges including traveling and training for terrorist purposes and being part of a terrorist organization. They also faced charges related to attempted murder due to Hasan E.’s alleged stabbing incidents. Arda K. received a 12-year sentence, while Beran A. was sentenced to 15 years in prison.