A 21-year-old Austrian man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting that he planned a jihadist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna during the singer’s Eras Tour in August 2024.
The man, identified only as Beran A under Austrian privacy laws, was arrested shortly before the first of three sold-out Taylor Swift shows scheduled at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium. The concerts were later cancelled, affecting nearly 200,000 fans.
Planned Attack on Taylor Swift Concert in Vienna
Prosecutors said Beran A had become radicalised and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. They told the court that he tried to obtain illegal weapons but was unable to do so.
The arrest came after a tip-off from the CIA, which helped Austrian authorities stop the planned attack before the concerts could take place. The cancellation of the Vienna shows caused major disappointment among fans and drew international attention.
Suspect Apologised During Court Hearing
During the hearing at a court in Wiener Neustadt, Beran A told the court that he was sorry. The jury later considered the verdicts for several hours before the sentence was delivered.
He also admitted to other terrorism-related offences, including involvement in an attack in Mecca.
Court Psychiatrist Finds No Mental Illness
Court psychiatrist Peter Hoffmann said Beran A showed no signs of mental illness. He added that there was no psychiatric explanation for the man’s radicalisation.
Another 21-year-old man, named as Arda K from Slovakia, also went on trial in Wiener Neustadt accused of being connected to an Islamic State cell. However, he was not accused of involvement in the Taylor Swift concert plot.
Security Concerns Around Major Concerts
The case has renewed discussion about security at large international music events, especially after the Eras Tour became one of the most high-profile concert tours in the world. Authorities said the planned attack was stopped before it could be carried out.
The 15-year sentence marks a major development in the investigation into the cancelled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna and wider concerns surrounding extremist threats in Europe.
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May 28, 2026
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