A 21-year-old man accused of planning a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024 has pleaded guilty in part, as his trial opened on Tuesday (28 April) in Austria.
The Austrian defendant, identified by authorities as Beran A, was arrested on 7 August 2024, one day before the first of three scheduled Taylor Swift Vienna concerts.
All three shows were subsequently cancelled after security concerns emerged, disappointing thousands of fans. Swift later described the cancellations as “devastating”.
The case is being heard in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna.
At the opening of proceedings, Beran A said he pleaded guilty in part. When asked specifically about charges linked to the planned concert attack, he replied “Yes.”
Prosecutors allege he used instructional material from Islamic State on how to make a shrapnel bomb, produced a small quantity of the explosive triacetone peroxide, and attempted to illegally obtain weapons, including a machine gun and hand grenade.
He faces multiple terrorism-related charges, as well as accusations of belonging to a criminal organisation and making dangerous threats. If convicted, he could face between 10 and 20 years in prison.
The trial also concerns separate allegations involving Slovak national Arda K, who is accused alongside Beran A of planning attacks in the Middle East in early 2024.
According to prosecutors, Beran A was meant to target Dubai, Arda K was assigned Istanbul, while a third associate travelled to Mecca.
Only the third man is believed to have acted, and was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a security official at the Grand Mosque.
Arda K admitted travelling to Istanbul with the intention of carrying out an attack, while both defendants denied providing moral support to the third suspect.
Tuesday marked the first of four scheduled hearing days. Proceedings are currently due to conclude on 21 May, though additional dates may be required.
A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, officials said on Sunday, with ...
At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the c...
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to secu...
Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapi...
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the of...
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapid urban growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and climate resilience.
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) has opened in Baku, bringing together governments, international organisations, city leaders and civil society to address mounting global urban challenges.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are negotiating summer water allocations as rising temperatures, agricultural demand and pressure on shared rivers intensify water security concerns across Central Asia.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
A drone strike caused a fire at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE, officials said on Sunday, with no injuries or radiation leaks reported. Saudi Arabia also said it had intercepted three drones. Meanwhile President Donald Trump urged Iran to act "fast" as diplomatic efforts stall.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Spain’s High Court has cleared Colombian pop star Shakira of tax fraud and annulled a €55 million ($64 million) penalty imposed by Spanish tax authorities in 2021, according to a court document.
Eurovision Song Contest once again proved how unpredictable its outcome can be, with Bulgaria’s Dara turning a late surge into a dominant win while several expected contenders collapsed early. At the same time, the absence of the South Caucasus region from the final raised questions.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
The Eurovision Song Contest's final takes place in Vienna on Saturday, with the organisers hoping the annual show of glitz and Europop will be a success despite five countries' withdrawal over Israel taking part.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment