Published: 09:13 AM, 30 April 2026
Man admits plotting attack on Taylor Swift concert in Vienna
A 21-year-old Austrian man has admitted plotting a jihadist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024. The man, named only as Beran A, also admitted to being part of a terrorist organisation, although he denied other charges including involvement in planning an attack in the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, BB
The state prosecutor told the court in Wiener Neustadt near Vienna that police had found an almost completed bomb during a search of the man's house.
Beran A was arrested after a tip-off from the CIA just before Swift's opening concert in Vienna in 2024.
As a result, all three sold-out gigs by the US superstar singer at Vienna's Ernst Happl Stadium were cancelled.
More than 195,000 people in total had been expected to attend.
Thousands of disappointed fans roamed the streets of the city, singing and exchanging Taylor Swift-themed friendship bracelets.
Beran A was brought into the courtroom, wearing a blue shirt and handcuffs, to face charges of terrorism and other offences.
He went on trial with another 21-year-old man, named as Arda K, who is accused of being part of an Islamic State cell with him. They are accused of planning attacks in Istanbul and Dubai, as well as in Mecca.
The main defendant's lawyer, Anna Mair, told the court: "My client has caused a great deal of fear and panic among many people, and he will have to answer for that, no question. But please try to look beyond the headlines."
Vienna prosecutors allege that Beran A started planning the attack at the latest by 21 July 2024. He was arrested on 7 August, a day before the first concert.
Prosecutors accuse him of declaring allegiance to, and spreading online propaganda online for, the jihadist group Islamic State, as well as making explosives and attempting to purchase weapons illegally.
He is suspected of having obtained instructions via the internet on how to make a shrapnel bomb, of a type "specific to IS attacks", according to the indictment.
