A 21-year-old Austrian man was found guilty Thursday in the Taylor Swift Vienna plot linked to the cancelled Eras Tour concerts in 2024.
The defendant, identified as Beran A. under Austrian privacy laws, was convicted on multiple terrorism-related charges. Prosecutors said he planned to target crowds outside Ernst Happel Stadium during Swift’s scheduled August 2024 shows.
Authorities said the planned attack was inspired by the Islamic State group. Austrian officials cancelled all three Vienna concerts shortly before the first show after intelligence warnings.
The suspect apologised in court before the verdict. His lawyer, Anna Mair, said he had admitted guilt on charges tied to the concert plot and membership in a terrorist organisation.
Mair argued prosecutors had not proved separate allegations involving coordinated attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates during Ramadan 2024.
Read: Lawyer Dismisses Vienna Terror Plot Against Taylor Swift Concert as “Pure Fantasy”
Investigators searched Beran A.’s apartment on August 7, 2024, one day before the concerts were due to begin. Officials said they found materials linked to the alleged plot.
Swift later said on Instagram that the Vienna cancellations were devastating and left her feeling fear and guilt because many fans had planned to attend.
The case drew comparisons to the 2017 Ariana Grande concert attack in Manchester, England, where 22 people were killed. The defendant faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
