An Austrian court has sentenced a 21-year-old man to 15 years in prison for his role in a foiled terror plot targeting a concert by Taylor Swift during her 2024 “Eras Tour” stop in Vienna.
The court found Austrian national Beran A. guilty of terrorism-related offences after he admitted to plotting an attack inspired by the Islamic State group (IS). A second defendant, Arda K., aged 21, was also convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The planned attack led to the cancellation of three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna in the summer of 2024 after authorities uncovered intelligence indicating an imminent threat. The plot was reportedly disrupted with assistance from U.S. intelligence services.
Prosecutors told the court that the defendants were part of a “highly dangerous IS terror cell” that intended to carry out multiple attacks in the name of the extremist group, including targeting large public gatherings.
Beran A. was arrested a day before the scheduled concert and had been in custody since. He admitted to most charges during the trial, although he denied being an accomplice to attempted murder. He ultimately faced a maximum sentence of 20 years but received 15 years after the court’s ruling.
During proceedings, he testified that he had become radicalised and believed he “had to wage jihad,” while also acknowledging fear and hesitation about carrying out violence. He said he selected Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium as a target due to its large crowd size.
Arda K. and Beran A. were also accused, along with a third suspect identified as Hasan E., of forming an extremist cell and maintaining communication with IS-linked contacts. Hasan E. is currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia over a separate stabbing case in Mecca in 2024.
Prosecutors alleged that the group exchanged instructions, sought guidance on weapons, and shared extremist propaganda through online channels. Defence lawyers, however, argued that there was insufficient evidence of leadership roles or coordinated operational planning among the accused.
In its ruling, the court described the evidence as sufficient to establish participation in a terrorist organisation and intent to support extremist activity. Both defendants apologised during final statements, with Beran A. telling the court, “I just want to say that I’m sorry.”
The foiled plot had previously drawn international attention, particularly due to the cancellation of one of the world’s highest-grossing tours. Taylor Swift later said the cancellations left her feeling “fear” and “guilt” over fans who had planned to attend.
A co-accused teenager in a related case in Berlin was previously given a suspended sentence for involvement in supporting the plot.
