Trial over foiled attack on Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert set to open
The trial of a 21-year-old accused of planning a militant attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna has begun. The defendant, Beran A, is expected to plead guilty to charges related to the foiled attack, which led to the cancellation of all three concerts. He faces multiple terrorism-related charges and could receive a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
- ▪Beran A was arrested on August 7, 2024, the day before the first of three planned concerts by Taylor Swift in Vienna.
- ▪Prosecutors allege he obtained instructions online for making explosives and attempted to buy weapons for the attack.
- ▪The trial will also address other planned attacks in the Middle East involving Beran A and his co-defendant, Arda K.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Trial opens over foiled attack on Taylor Swift’s Vienna concertSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxAll three planned concerts by Taylor Swift in Vienna were cancelled due to the foiled attack.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished Apr 28, 2026, 01:10 PMUpdated Apr 28, 2026, 05:14 PMListenVIENNA - The trial of a 21-year-old accused of planning a militant attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024 that was foiled at the 11th hour opened on April 28, with his lawyer saying beforehand he would plead guilty to the main charges.The defendant, an Austrian identified as Beran A, was arrested on Aug 7, 2024, the day before the first of three planned concerts by the US pop star in Vienna.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.