Austrian Trial Over Foiled Attack on Taylor Swift Concert Enters Final Day
40
Articles
36
Sources
185
Claims Identified
185
Claims Analyzed
Note: Consensus reflects what most sources reported, not objective truth. Claims widely repeated across outlets may still be inaccurate. Prism measures relative coverage, not correctness.
Neutral Summary
The trial of Beran A., a 21-year-old Austrian man who admitted plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, enters its final day on Thursday, with a verdict expected later. Beran A. has pleaded guilty to all charges except accomplice to attempted murder, including terrorism-related offenses. The planned attack led to the cancellation of all three of Swift’s scheduled Eras Tour concerts in Vienna in August 2024.
Beran A. was arrested on August 7, 2024, the day before the first planned concert, following a warning from US intelligence. Prosecutors have described the cell, which also includes co-defendant Arda K. and a third man, Hasan E., as a “highly dangerous IS terror cell.” The accused plotted to target the packed Ernst Happel Stadium during Swift’s concert. Beran A. testified that he had become convinced he “had to wage jihad,” and prosecutors say he followed instructions from an Islamic State video in an attempt to make a small amount of TATP explosive. He also tried unsuccessfully to buy weapons including a machine gun and a hand grenade. The maximum sentence for the plot is 20 years in prison; if acquitted of the accomplice to attempted murder charge, Beran A. faces up to 10 years.
In addition to the Swift concert plot, the trio is accused of planning separate attacks in Middle Eastern cities and encouraging Hasan E. to stab a security official in Mecca in 2024, an attack that injured four others. Beran A. and Arda K. admit traveling to Dubai and Istanbul with the intent to carry out attacks but did not follow through. They deny providing moral support for the Mecca stabbing. A separate Berlin court convicted a 16-year-old Syrian teenager of contributing to the Swift concert plot, handing down an 18-month suspended sentence. The court in Wiener Neustadt will hear closing arguments from prosecution and defense before the jury deliberates, with a ruling expected later Thursday.
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Source Coverage
36 sources covered this event.
Sources that covered this story
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Economic Times
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Global Banking & Finance Review
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RTE.ie
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Publication Timeline
Shows when each source published their article. The green dot marks the first source to publish. Use search to find a source and zoom to spread clustered labels.
May 28, 2026 04:42 UTC
12:36 UTC
Conflicting Claims (1)
When multiple sources report the same topic but with mutually exclusive details (different numbers, opposite outcomes), Prism flags these as conflicting claims.
Each card shows the two versions, which sources support each side, and an explanation of the disagreement. This does not determine which version is correct — it highlights where sources diverge.
Claim 1
(5 sources)
Beran A. pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offenses and all charges except accomplice to attempted murder.
RTE.ie, Channels Television, Internazionale, The Jerusalem Post, Global News
VS
Claim 2
(5 sources)
Beran A. pleaded not guilty to charges related to the simultaneous attacks plot.
RTE.ie, Beritaja, Internazionale, Aol, Global News
Channels Television, RTE.ie, and The Jerusalem Post say Beran A. pleaded guilty to all charges except accomplice to attempted murder or to main charges, while Global News, Aol, and Beritaja say he pleaded not guilty to charges related to the simultaneous attacks plot.
Source Analysis Overview
Coverage % = percentage of consensus claims this source included (higher = more comprehensive).
Subjectivity % = proportion of subjective language detected (lower = more objective).
Leaning = classifier-detected political framing pattern (Left / Center / Right).
Click any column header to sort. Expand "Detailed Charts" below for full visualizations.
| Source | Coverage % | Subjectivity % | Leaning | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channels Television | 61% | 0% | left |
51/22/27
|
| RTE.ie | 58% | 0% | left |
50/23/26
|
| Internazionale | 53% | 0% | left |
47/34/19
|
| Aol | 51% | 0% | left |
60/7/33
|
| Global News | 51% | -- | -- | -- |
| Beritaja | 51% | 11% | left |
57/4/39
|
| The Jerusalem Post | 50% | 0% | left |
59/13/29
|
| Vorarlberg Online | 39% | 0% | left |
64/2/34
|
| dpa International | 38% | 0% | left |
46/21/32
|
Claims Coverage Matrix (5 Headline / 185 Total)
Prism extracts atomic claims from every source's article and builds a consensus claims pool — the combined set of claims reported across all coverage.
Each row is one consensus claim. Each column is a news source. Cells show whether the source reported, partially mentioned, or omitted that claim.
Tiers: Claims are ranked by importance — Headline (T1) are the most critical, Context (T2) provide supporting detail, and Detail (T3) are minor points shown only when expanded.
Vital claims are confirmed by 40%+ of sources, indicating broad consensus.
Supported
Partial
Omitted
No Data
| Claim | RTE.ie | dpa International | Vorarlberg Online | Beritaja | Channels Television | Internazionale | The Jerusalem Post | Aol | Global News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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T1
Beran A. faces up to 20 years in prison.
|
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|
T1
Beran A. pleaded guilty to terrorism-related offenses and all charges except accomplice to attempted murder.
|
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|
T1
A man admitted to plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago.
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|
T1
Austrian authorities canceled Taylor Swift's three performances in August 2024.
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|
T1
A ruling was expected later on Thursday.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. allegedly networked with other Islamic State group members and is accused of planning the attack and forming a cell.
|
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|
T2
Trial began on April 28 in Wiener Neustadt, 50 km south of Vienna.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. is Austrian.
|
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|
T2
Defendant is known only as Beran A. due to Austrian privacy rules.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. faces charges including terrorist offenses and membership in a terrorist organization.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. allegedly planned to target people outside Ernst Happel Stadium with knives or homemade explosives.
|
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|
T2
Prosecutors said the suspects discussed purchasing weapons and making bombs.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. is on trial alongside Arda K., whose full name is not public.
|
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|
T2
They and a third man in Saudi Arabia detention allegedly planned simultaneous attacks in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and UAE during Ramadan 2024 for IS.
|
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|
T2
Only Beran A. was charged in connection with the concert plot.
|
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|
T2
Beran A. said 'I would just like to say that I am sorry' as final words before verdict.
|
|||||||||
|
T2
Beran A. pleaded not guilty to charges related to the simultaneous attacks plot.
|
|||||||||
|
T2
Beran A. testified he had become convinced he had to wage jihad.
|
|||||||||
|
T2
The Swift concert plot was thwarted with help from US intelligence.
|
|||||||||
|
T2
Beran A. was arrested on August 7, 2024.
|
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|
T3
His defense lawyer said Beran A. pleaded guilty to charges related to the concert plot on opening day of trial.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans traveled to Austria for the Eras Tour performances.
|
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|
T3
Three Vienna dates of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour were cancelled in August 2024.
|
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|
T3
Beran A.'s lawyer is Anna Mair.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
If acquitted of accomplice to attempted murder, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors say Beran A. was a member of a terror organisation from 2023.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors said he openly aligned himself with IS.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. allegedly encouraged Hasan E. to stab a security official in Mecca in 2024.
|
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|
T3
Hasan E. allegedly stabbed the official and injured four others.
|
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|
T3
Hasan E. was overpowered and detained.
|
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|
T3
Swift wrote on social media that cancellations filled her with fear and guilt.
|
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|
T3
Last year, a Berlin court convicted a Syrian teenager of contributing to the Swift concert plot.
|
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|
T3
A 16-year-old was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
|
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|
T3
All three planned Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna were cancelled.
|
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|
T3
Taylor Swift wrote that the cancellation was 'devastating'.
|
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|
T3
Third man arrested in Mecca is still in custody in Saudi Arabia.
|
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|
T3
Jury withdrew to deliberate after closing arguments.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A's last name has not been made public due to Austrian privacy rules.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors say Beran A tried but failed to illegally buy weapons including a machine gun and a hand grenade.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A is accused of plotting with two school friends to carry out solo attacks in separate Middle Eastern cities earlier in 2024.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A and co-defendant Arda K admit they traveled to Dubai and Istanbul respectively to carry out attacks but did not follow through.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
A man told an Austrian court on Thursday that he was sorry.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Defendant is a 21-year-old Austrian citizen.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Devastated fans gathered in central Vienna to trade friendship bracelets and commiserate after cancellations.
|
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|
T3
Prosecutors said Beran A. swore allegiance to the Islamic State group.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Closing arguments were held on Thursday at the state court in Wiener Neustadt.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Defense lawyer Anna Mair told the court her client was 'not an ideological mastermind'.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Cancellation occurred after authorities warned of an Islamic State plot
|
|||||||||
|
T3
An Austrian court was to sentence a 21-year-old on Thursday
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty to plotting a foiled jihadist attack on a Taylor Swift concert
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. went on trial last month on terror offences and other charges
|
|||||||||
|
T3
He was arrested the day before the cancelled concert
|
|||||||||
|
T3
He has been detained since his arrest
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. and co-defendant Arda K. were led into court on the final day of hearings by masked police personnel
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Two psychological experts testified they saw no signs of serious psychological illness with Beran A.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The jury expected to deliver its verdict late Thursday after the closing arguments
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Mair called the difference 'immense'
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. and Arda K. are accused with third Austrian Hasan E., imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, of forming a highly dangerous IS terror cell
|
|||||||||
|
T3
They planned to carry out several attacks in the name of IS, prosecutors say
|
|||||||||
|
T3
He said he was afraid to die
|
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|
T3
He told the court he picked Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna during Swift's concert as a target
|
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|
T3
He detailed how he got instructions and tried but failed to make a bomb
|
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|
T3
He sought advice on weapons in chat groups and from a high-ranking IS member
|
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|
T3
He shared IS propaganda through messaging services and other offences
|
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|
T3
He is alleged involved in other attack plans abroad
|
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|
T3
Beran A. denied encouraging the attack
|
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|
T3
The trial entered its final day on Thursday
|
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|
T3
Defendant pleaded guilty to main charges including terrorism-related charges.
|
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|
T3
Charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
|
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|
T3
Beran A. covered his face with a ring binder entering the courtroom to avoid being identifiable in pictures.
|
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|
T3
Prosecutors say he tried to buy a machine gun and hand grenade
|
|||||||||
|
T3
He followed an Islamic State video to make TATP explosive
|
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|
T3
He is accused of plotting separate attacks with two school friends
|
|||||||||
|
T3
He and Arda K admitted traveling to Dubai and Istanbul for attacks
|
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|
T3
They denied providing moral support to a third man
|
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|
T3
Third man was arrested in Mecca on suspicion of stabbing a security official at the Grand Mosque.
|
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|
T3
Lawyer Anna Mair said sentence could be up to 20 years
|
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|
T3
Lawyer Anna Mair said sentence would be shorter if no support
|
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|
T3
Thursday's court proceedings began after 9 a.m. (0700 GMT)
|
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|
T3
Prosecution and defence were due to make closing arguments
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Trial concerns foiled attack on Taylor Swift concert at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium
|
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|
T3
Experts attested to Beran A.'s full criminal responsibility
|
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|
T3
Verdict is expected in the evening hours.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
On Thursday, several expert reports were presented at the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court
|
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|
T3
Central question was whether main defendant Beran A. is criminally responsible
|
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|
T3
Psychiatric expert testified Beran A. has deficient educational underdevelopment and dropped out of several training programs
|
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|
T3
Cannabis use since age 16 and later use of other medications were discussed
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Expert said neither addiction disorder nor anxiety disorder reached level relevant for criminal assessment
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Expert said Beran A. is quite capable of making decisions, per APA
|
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|
T3
No grounds for placement in a forensic-therapeutic center
|
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|
T3
Psychological expert found no significant psychological abnormalities, per APA
|
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|
T3
Psychological expert said apology may not be sincere
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Expert noticed a change during main hearing
|
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|
T3
Beran A. and co-defendant Arda K. alleged part of suspected terrorist cell
|
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|
T3
Indictment says they planned attacks in name of IS as early as end of 2023
|
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|
T3
Joint plan was to attack security forces in Mecca, Istanbul, Dubai simultaneously on March 11, 2024
|
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|
T3
Beran A. and Arda K. returned from Dubai and Istanbul without accomplishing mission
|
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|
T3
Third participant allegedly attacked security officer with knife in Mecca, injuring four others
|
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|
T3
Prosecution accuses defendants of supporting alleged perpetrator by phone and encouraging intentions
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. and Arda K. pleaded guilty to large extent but downplayed roles
|
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|
T3
They described third participant imprisoned in Saudi Arabia as driving force
|
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|
T3
Beran A. fully admitted to later plans for attack in Vienna after return from Dubai, per APA
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Verdict expected on Thursday at Austrian court in trial over foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift concert in Vienna
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The defendant is 21 years old
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The defendant admitted planning an attack in August 2024 at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The venue was Ernst Happel Stadium, location of three Taylor Swift Eras Tour performances
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors say he intended to carry out a jihadist-inspired massacre using knives and a bomb
|
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|
T3
The Austrian man was arrested a day before the first concert
|
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|
T3
The arrest followed a tip-off from a foreign intelligence service
|
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|
T3
All three concerts were subsequently cancelled
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Swift described the events as 'devastating'
|
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|
T3
Swift said the events left her with 'a new sense of fear'
|
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|
T3
Prosecutors charged the man and a second defendant with terrorism-related offences
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The charges include forming a terrorist cell
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors accuse the defendants of supporting a third Islamist in a planned attack on Saudi security forces in Mecca
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The main defendant faces up to 20 years in prison
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The main defendant denies involvement in the attempted Mecca attack
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Closing arguments from prosecution and defence are scheduled
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Eight jurors are expected to deliberate for several hours on guilt
|
|||||||||
|
T3
A verdict could come as early as Thursday afternoon
|
|||||||||
|
T3
An Austrian court will deliver verdict on Thursday in trial of 21-year-old man
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The cancellations followed authorities warning of a plot
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. was arrested the day before the first planned concert
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. has been detained since his arrest
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. went on trial last month in Wiener Neustadt, outside Vienna
|
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|
T3
The jury will deliver its verdict late on Thursday
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The trial concludes with statements from two experts and closing arguments
|
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|
T3
Mair told AFP the difference in sentencing is 'immense'
|
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|
T3
Another 21-year-old man, Arda K., is also on trial
|
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|
T3
Three accused include Beran A., Arda K., and Hasan E.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Hasan E. is imprisoned in Saudi Arabia
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors describe the trio as a 'highly dangerous IS terror cell'
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The cell planned to carry out several attacks in the name of IS
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. said he was 'afraid to die'
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. chose the packed Ernst Happel Stadium during Swift's concert as target
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. tried to make a bomb but failed
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. sought advice on weapons in chat groups and from a high-ranking IS member
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. shared IS propaganda through various messaging services
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A. denied encouraging the attack in Mecca
|
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|
T3
The convicted teenager was 16 years old
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The trial of Beran A enters its final day on Thursday
|
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|
T3
Beran A was arrested the day before the first of three planned Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna
|
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|
T3
The planned attack carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors say Beran A followed instructions from an Islamic State video to make a small amount of TATP explosive
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A and Arda K deny providing moral support to a third man arrested in Mecca for stabbing a security official
|
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|
T3
Thursday's court proceedings in Wiener Neustadt are due to begin at 9 a.m. (07:00 GMT)
|
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|
T3
The prosecution and defense will make their closing arguments before the jury deliberates
|
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|
T3
Concert plot was thwarted by Austrian authorities
|
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|
T3
Beran A. sought to illegally buy weapons in days ahead of the performance
|
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|
T3
Prosecutors called for conviction of both men during closing arguments
|
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|
T3
The jury retired for deliberations on Thursday
|
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|
T3
The arrest occurred the day before the first of three planned Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna
|
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|
T3
Crowds of disappointed fans sang together in Vienna to console themselves
|
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|
T3
Neither Taylor Swift nor any Swifties appeared at the courthouse in Wiener Neustadt
|
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|
T3
Beran A said 'I would just like to say that I am sorry' in a final statement after closing arguments
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The presiding judge told the gallery to expect nothing before 4 p.m. (1400 GMT)
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A followed instructions in an Islamic State video to make a small amount of the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP)
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A and Arda K denied providing moral support to the third man
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A's lawyer Anna Mair said a guilty verdict could lead to a sentence of up to 20 years
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Anna Mair said if the jury sees that Beran A did not provide support, the sentence would be significantly shorter
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Closing arguments did not mention the Swift concert specifically
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Lawyers Mair and Jodlbauer repeated that their clients did not provide material support to the third man
|
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|
T3
Anna Mair said 'Beran is not a leader. He is not an ideological mastermind' in her summing up
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The article was published on May 28
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The article is from Reuters
|
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|
T3
Beran A's co-defendant is Arda K
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Beran A is 21 years old
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The planned attack was an Islamist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The concert plot was thwarted
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The Eras Tour is record-setting
|
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|
T3
Taylor Swift is an American singer
|
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|
T3
Many fans gathered in central Vienna after the cancellations
|
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|
T3
Fans traded friendship bracelets and commiserated about the cancellations
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The defendant sought to illegally buy weapons days ahead of the performance
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The defendant swore allegiance to the Islamic State group
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Arda K.'s full name has not been made public
|
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|
T3
A third man was arrested and remains in pretrial detention in Saudi Arabia
|
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|
T3
Prosecutors called for the men's conviction
|
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|
T3
The Austria Press Agency reported the closing arguments
|
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|
T3
The court adjourned to consider a verdict
|
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|
T3
Beran A. admitted to plotting to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna about 2 years ago
|
|||||||||
|
T3
The defendant is a 21-year-old Austrian national known as Beran A.
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors said Beran A. sought to illegally purchase weapons days before the concert
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Prosecutors called for the men's conviction in closing arguments at Wiener Neustadt court
|
|||||||||
|
T3
Defense lawyer Anna Mair said Beran A. was not an ideological mastermind
|