A man accused of plotting a terror attack at one of Taylor Swift’s 2024 concerts in Vienna pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
Austrian outlets Kurier and Kronen Zeitung reported the trial proceedings against the Austrian man identified as Beran A.
Prosecutors also brought various terrorism-related charges and alleged links to a terrorist organization, though it was not yet clear which additional charges he admitted to.
Beran A. was arrested on August 7, 2024, the day before the first of three planned concerts by the superstar singer in Vienna.
Those concerts were among the final shows of Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour, with organizers holding dozens of surrounding events as well.
The planned attack was foiled with help from US intelligence, prompting organizers to cancel all three shows and disappointing many fans.
Fans were saddened after organizers canceled the three Eras Tour shows in Vienna in early August [File: 2024]
Vienna prosecutors said in 2024 that the man had declared allegiance to the so-called “Islamic State” by sharing propaganda material.
Prosecutors also tried Beran A. for plotting attacks in the Middle East with a Slovakian man and for assisting a third man arrested on suspicion of carrying out a knife attack in Mecca.
The planned Middle East attacks, which reportedly targeted Dubai and Istanbul, were never carried out.
If convicted, Beran A. faces 10 to 20 years in prison.
Edited by: Alex Berry
*In accordance with the German press code, Deutsche Welle refrains from publishing the full name of criminal suspects.*