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.
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