An Austrian court on Thursday convicted a man of plotting an attack on American singer Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert in 2024.
A 21-year-old Islamist, who was also found guilty of creating a terrorist cell, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The defendant, identified as Beran A. in accordance with Austrian privacy laws, is an Austrian citizen of North Macedonian origin.
Before the court adjourned to consider the verdict on Thursday, he said a few final words: “I’d just like to say I’m sorry.”
What do we know about the plot?
In April, Baron A admitted planning an attack on Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium in August 2024. The venue was scheduled to host three performances by the American pop megastar during his “Eras” tour.
According to prosecutors, he planned to carry out a jihadi-inspired massacre of Swift fans with knives and bombs.
Before the planned attack, Beran A had reportedly communicated with members of the “Islamic State” group about purchasing weapons and making bombs.
Prosecutors also said that, in the days before the demonstration, the defendant tried to illegally purchase weapons and swore allegiance to the terrorist group.
He was arrested on August 7, 2024, a day before the American pop star’s first of three planned concerts in the Austrian capital. The same day, authorities searched his apartment and found bomb-making materials.
All three concerts were later cancelled, much to the disappointment of fans and Swift herself. He later described the cancellation as “devastating”.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico
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