Terror trial begins for man accused of plotting attack on Taylor Swift concert in Vienna

A 21-year-old Austrian man, Beran A., has gone on trial in Wiener Neustadt charged with planning a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert held in Vienna in August 2024.

Beran A. faces charges including terrorism, preparing and planning an attack, membership in a terrorist organisation, and spreading propaganda for the Islamic State group.

He is also accused of making explosives and attempting to purchase weapons illegally.

The suspect was arrested on 7 August 2024, following a tip-off from the CIA just before the first concert.

As a result, all three sold-out concerts at Vienna's Ernst Happl Stadium were cancelled, affecting more than 195,000 ticket holders.

The planned attack involved the use of a shrapnel bomb made with triacetone triperoxide (TATP), an explosive type linked specifically to Islamic State attacks.

Prosecutors allege Beran A. received training from Islamic State members on handling explosives and made several attempts to acquire firearms and a hand grenade through illegal dealers, intending to import these weapons into Austria.

Another 21-year-old man, Arda K., is also on trial in Wiener Neustadt, accused of being part of the same Islamic State cell and planning attacks in Mecca, Istanbul, and Dubai.

Both men face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

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