Austrian justice sentenced a 21-year-old man to 15 years in prison for planning an attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in the summer of 2024. The defendant, identified as Beran A. in accordance with Austrian identity protection rules, had pleaded guilty at the start of his trial.
Taylor Swift's concerts had been cancelled
The planned attack targeted Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts as part of her world tour. Three dates scheduled in the Austrian capital had been canceled after the suspect's arrest the day before the first concert. Nearly 200,000 concertgoers were affected by these cancellations.
Knives and homemade explosives were mentioned.
The accused admitted to planning an attack against spectators. The plan included the use of knives or homemade explosives. Evidence related to the manufacture of explosives was discovered during a search of his residence.
A conviction for acts related to terrorism
The court found him guilty of several offenses, primarily related to terrorism. The case concerned a planned attack inspired by jihadist ideology and targeting a large-scale music event. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The suspect had been arrested before the act could be carried out.
Beran A. was arrested on August 7, 2024, before the concerts were scheduled to take place. Austrian authorities deemed the threat serious enough to warrant the immediate cancellation of the three performances. No spectators were injured.
Two other suspects mentioned in the investigation
Two other individuals were mentioned in connection with the investigation. A 14-year-old Syrian boy received a suspended sentence in 2025 in a separate juvenile case. Another suspect was released without charge in that case.
A second defendant was convicted
The trial also concerned other planned attacks linked to events abroad. Another defendant, Arda K., was sentenced to 12 years in prison on separate terrorism charges. Beran A. was the only defendant tried for the plot targeting the Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
