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2mo ago

Austrian Men Sentenced Over Foiled ISIS-Linked Plot Targeting Taylor Swift Concerts

Courts relied on evidence that suspects used ISIS online guides and sought weapons with help from foreign intelligence to disrupt a planned attack.

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Overview

  • A Wiener Neustadt court on May 28, 2026, sentenced Beran A. to 15 years and Arda K. to 12 years after juries found them guilty on most terrorism-related counts.
  • Authorities arrested Beran A. on August 7, 2024, the day before three Taylor Swift shows in Vienna and those concerts were cancelled for public safety.
  • Prosecutors presented evidence that the defendants tried to buy illegal weapons and attempted to make the explosive TATP using an ISIS instructional video.
  • A third suspect, Hasan E., remains in Saudi custody accused of a separate stabbing in Mecca and was linked by prosecutors to the cell but not tried in Austria.
  • The case highlights growing use of online extremist manuals, shows cross-border police and intelligence cooperation including reported U.S. assistance, and raises questions about security at major public events.