Man Accused of Plotting Taylor Swift Vienna Concert Attack Apologizes
Rolling Stone • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Beran A., a 21-year-old Austrian, apologized in court for plotting a terrorist attack on Taylor Swift’s 2024 Eras Tour stop in Vienna, which led to the cancellation of three concert dates for safety reasons.
- He pleaded guilty to charges including terrorist offenses and membership in a terrorist organization, facing up to 20 years in prison, and is currently awaiting a verdict.
- Prosecutors allege Beran A. collaborated with ISIS to carry out attacks involving knives and bombs outside Ernst Happel Stadium, targeting up to 30,000 concertgoers.
- The plot was part of a broader plan to attack multiple locations in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE during Ramadan 2024, involving two other men, one of whom is detained in Saudi Arabia.
- Beran A.’s lawyer stated he deeply regrets his actions, calling the foiled attack the biggest mistake of his life.