Syrian Charged with Terror Plot Targeting Taylor Swift Concert In Vienna
A Syrian national is facing charges in Germany for allegedly supporting a thwarted plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last summer, underscoring the persistent threat of extremist violence at public events.
The individual, named Mohamed A, is accused of contributing to the planning of an assault on the sold-out Taylor Swift show at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium in August 2024. German authorities classify Mohamed A as a juvenile, although he is not currently in custody.
The foiled attack led concert organizers to cancel Swift’s three scheduled performances, disappointing tens of thousands of fans eager to attend her Eras Tour. Security officials noted that the suspects appeared to be influenced by the ideologies of both the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda. “Mohamed A has adhered to the ideology of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) since at least April 2024,” stated the German federal public prosecutor’s office in a recent announcement. “Between mid-July and August 2024, he was in contact with a young adult from Austria who was planning a bomb attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.” Swift, whose concerts were expected to attract 65,000 attendees, later expressed her regret over the cancellation.
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She emphasized her focus on upcoming performances in London. The primary suspect in the case, identified as Beran A, is believed by authorities to have connections with an IS cell operating in eastern Austria. Now 20 years old and residing in Ternitz, Beran A was arrested before the concerts following a tip-off from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which indicated that the plotters aimed to cause mass casualties among concertgoers. Investigators also allege that Beran A had previously planned an attack in Dubai in March 2024.
Although part of a coordinated series of three IS-inspired attacks, Beran A reportedly abandoned his plans at the last minute. According to the German federal prosecutor, Mohamed A allegedly assisted Beran A by translating bomb-making instructions from Arabic and facilitating communication with an overseas IS operative online. He is also accused of providing the text for an oath of allegiance to IS for Beran A to use.
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