google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

Man pleads guilty over terror plot to attack Taylor Swift concert – reports | World News

A man accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State and plotting to attack Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna has pleaded guilty on the opening day of his trial, according to Austrian media.

The plot was thwarted but authorities still had to cancel three performances by the pop superstar in August 2024.

Austrian outlets Kurier and Kronen Zeitung said 21-year-old Beran A – his full name cannot be published due to the country’s privacy rules – pleaded guilty to charges related to the terror plot. It is unclear what other charges he pleaded guilty to.

Beran A faced charges including terror offences and membership in a terrorist organisation.

His defence attorney had previously said he planned to plead guilty to most of the charges.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Beran A to go on trial alongside Arda K. They, along with a third man, planned to carry out simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE during Ramadan in 2024 in 2024, authorities say.

Beran A and Arda K did not carry out their attacks.

Only Beran A is charged in connection with the Taylor Swift plot.

Authorities say he planned to target onlookers gathered outside Ernst Happel Stadium – up to 30,000 each night, with another 65,000 inside the venue – with knives or homemade explosives.

He hoped to “kill as many people as possible”, authorities said previously.

Beran A is suspected of networking with other members of the ISIS terror group before his planned attack.

Prosecutors say they discussed purchasing weapons and making bombs, and that the defendant also sought to illegally buy weapons in the days ahead of the performance.

Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour on Friday, 6 December, 2024. Pic: AP
Image:
Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour on Friday, 6 December, 2024. Pic: AP

Bomb-making materials were found at his apartment on 7 August, 2024 – the day before the concerts were scheduled to begin.

Read more from Sky News:
Mexican cartel leader captured
At least 14 dead in Indonesia train crash

“Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating,” Swift wrote in a statement posted to Instagram two weeks later.

“The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.”

The trial is expected to last until 12 May.


Source link

Views: 0

See also  Fact-checking Elon Musk's claims in the Oval Office

Check Also

In Trump's shadow, Vance becomes face of Iran deal

His fierce defence of the Iran plan amid mounting criticism comes as speculation intensifies about …

Mangione's lawyers reverse course on psychiatric defence in state murder trial

The defence team reverse course a day after saying they would argue he suffered “extreme …

Mangione's lawyers reverse course on psychiatric defence in state murder trial

The defence team reverse course a day after saying they would argue he suffered “extreme …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
aaa mush love. Learn more about troubleshooting wordpress.