A 21-year-old Austrian man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group and plotting to attack Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna nearly two years ago pleaded guilty as his trial began on Tuesday, his lawyer confirmed. The plot was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift's three performances in August 2024, devastating fans who had traveled globally for the Eras Tour.
Guilty Plea and Charges
The defendant, identified only as Beran A. under Austrian privacy rules, faced charges including terrorist offenses and membership in a terrorist organization. Defense attorney Anna Mair stated outside the court in Wiener Neustadt, "Of course, he deeply regrets it all. He says it was the biggest mistake of his life." Austrian media reported he also pleaded guilty to being a member of a terrorist organization. He faces up to 20 years in prison and has been in custody since August 2024.
Details of the Plot
Prosecutors alleged Beran A. planned to target up to 30,000 fans gathered outside Ernst Happel Stadium each night, with another 65,000 inside, using knives or homemade explosives. He allegedly hoped to "kill as many people as possible," according to authorities in 2024. The U.S. provided intelligence that influenced the decision to cancel the concerts. Authorities searched his apartment on August 7, 2024, finding bomb-making materials. The concerts were scheduled to begin the next day.
Beran A. also allegedly networked with other Islamic State members, discussed purchasing weapons and making bombs, and sought to illegally buy weapons days before the performance. He swore allegiance to the militant group.
Comparison to Manchester Attack
The Vienna plot drew comparisons to the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, which killed 22 people. That attack became the deadliest extremist attack in the UK in recent years.
Trial and Co-Defendants
Beran A. is on trial alongside Arda K., whose full name has not been made public. They, along with a third man, planned simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan 2024 in the name of the Islamic State. Only Beran A. was charged in connection with the concert plot; he pleaded not guilty to charges related to the simultaneous attack plot. The third man, Hasan E., allegedly stabbed a security guard at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on March 11, 2024, and remains in pretrial detention in Saudi Arabia.
Swift expressed devastation over the canceled shows in a statement: "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." The trial continues May 12 in Wiener Neustadt.
