A 21-year-old Austrian citizen, Beran A, has pleaded guilty to planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The plot was foiled a day before the event in August 2024, reports Todayinfo news agency.
The trial opened in Wiener Neustadt. Beran A admitted to conspiring with Slovak national Arda K to carry out attacks in the Middle East, which were not executed. A third suspect is in custody in Saudi Arabia on suspicion of a knife attack in Mecca.
In court, Beran A said he targeted tourists and soldiers in Dubai but could not bring himself to stab anyone due to 'panic attacks'. 'I thought I had to carry out the attack, but at the same time I was afraid of dying,' he told the court.
Prosecutors accuse Beran A of using ISIL instructions to make explosives. He produced triacetone peroxide and attempted to buy a machine gun and hand grenade for the concert attack.
The defendant faces 10 to 20 years in prison on multiple terrorism-related charges. The trial is scheduled to continue until May 28.
