Austria Terror plans for Taylor Swift concert: fame-seeking as motive
The main suspect in the trial surrounding the concerts by US star Taylor Swift in Vienna, which were canceled due to the threat of terrorism, has spoken out about his motives.
12.05.2026, 17:27
SDA
"I wanted to arm myself as much as possible so that I could make it big," said the 21-year-old in front of the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court about his plans for the attack, according to the APA news agency.
He wanted to look like a hero in front of the terror militia Islamic State (IS) and become famous. "The biggest idea would be with a truck, armed with bombs and knives."
Weeks before the three-day concert series, which was due to take place in the Ernst Happel Stadium at the beginning of August 2024, Beran A. said he had contacted a security company in order to infiltrate as a security guard and inspect the venue. However, he refrained from doing so.
High prison sentence possible
According to the public prosecutor's office, the Austrian with North Macedonian roots had almost completed a shrapnel bomb when he was arrested. According to previous investigations, the target was the Swift fans outside the concert venue. The terrorist act was to take place on August 9, 2024, the date of the second of three Swift concerts at the Happel Stadium in Vienna.
According to the government at the time, the threat situation was "very serious". For security reasons, all three concerts in Vienna with an expected 200,000 visitors were canceled by the organizer.
The accused faces up to 20 years in prison. A verdict could be reached on May 28.
