A man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group and plotting an attack on Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna has pleaded guilty as his trial began on Tuesday, according to Austrian media.
Guilty Plea in Court
The defendant, identified only as Beran A. under Austrian privacy rules, faced charges including terrorist offenses and membership in a terrorist organization. His defense attorney previously indicated he would plead guilty to most charges. He could face up to 20 years in prison.
Beran A. is tried alongside Arda K., another suspect whose full name has not been released. Both planned simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE during Ramadan 2024 in the name of the Islamic State, but never carried them out.
Details of the Plot
Beran A. allegedly planned to target crowds outside Ernst Happel Stadium—up to 30,000 people each night, with 65,000 inside—using knives or homemade explosives. Authorities said he hoped to "kill as many people as possible." U.S. intelligence contributed to the decision to cancel the concerts.
He also networked with other Islamic State members, discussed purchasing weapons and making bombs, and attempted to illegally buy weapons before the performances. He swore allegiance to the militant group. A search of his apartment on August 7, 2024, uncovered bomb-making materials.
Impact on Fans
The cancellation of Swift's three Vienna shows in August 2024 devastated fans worldwide. Swifties turned the city into a hub for friendship bracelet trading and singalongs. Swift later expressed fear and guilt over the cancellations.
Related Attacks
Prosecutors also charged Arda K. in connection with the planned attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE. A 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. Beran A. and Arda K. did not carry out their plans in Turkey and the UAE.
The Vienna plot drew comparisons to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at an Ariana Grande concert, which killed 22 people.
