Islamist (21) planned attack on pop concert: 15 years for Taylor Swift attacker

Wiener Neustadt (Austria) – Guilty verdict in the trial against the young Austrian Beran A. The 21-year-old had planned a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The sentence: 15 years. According to the “Kronen” newspaper, the defendant cried when the guilty verdict was announced.

Eight jurors handed down the verdict on Thursday evening. They had previously discussed the question of guilt for hours. The Beran A. himself admitted to attack plans in court. The jury also found him guilty of forming a terrorist cell: he and two other young Islamists had planned a series of terror attacks in Dubai, Istanbul and Mecca. Another Islamist injured Saudi Arabian security forces in a knife attack in Mecca in 2024. This was considered an accessory to attempted murder. For this, a 21-year-old co-defendant received 12 years in prison.

In 2024, the CIA warned Austrian authorities about the Islamist. He searched the Internet for hand grenades and bomb-making instructions. To do this, he announced “a surgical operation”. After Beran A. was arrested, the police the explosive TATP, often used by the “Islamic State” (IS), in his refrigerator and a calendar entry: “Taylor Friday concert.” His diabolical plan: as many as possible Taylor-Swift-Kill fans.

Although the arrest took place shortly before the concerts, the three appearances by the US superstar canceled to be on the safe side. Millions of fans were shocked at the time.

Beran A. about his motive: “If I am killed as a Muslim, I will go to paradise.” A. tried to explain his inhumane chats about “slaughter” with the influence of cannabis and the drug Lyrica – and he was also under the influence of a demon at the time.