The trial of the suspect in the attempt began today at the District Court in Vienna attack at one of the three Taylor Swift concerts in the Austrian capital in 2024. The indictment of the 21-year-old charges, among other things, membership in the terrorist organization Islamic State. He faces 20 years in prison, the Austrian press agency reported APA. He pleaded guilty to all counts except attempted murder.
According to the indictment, the 21-year-old suspect, otherwise an Austrian citizen, planned an attack on the concert of the American singer Taylor Swift in Vienna as a member of the Islamic State from May 2023 until his arrest in August 2024. The prosecution accuses him of obtaining instructions on the Internet for making a hand grenade and making a small amount of explosives at home.
According to the indictment, the 21-year-old suspect, otherwise an Austrian citizen, planned an attack on the concert of the American singer Taylor Swift in Vienna as a member of the Islamic State from May 2023 until his arrest in August 2024. PHOTO: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters
He is also accused of repeatedly trying to buy firearms from illegal dealers and intending to import them into Austria, according to the indictment published on the website of the Vienna District Court.
The young man allegedly shared videos on social networks in which he called for terrorist acts. In addition, he allegedly sent content glorifying the Islamic State through various channels, which, according to the prosecution, proved to be a member of this terrorist organization.
In Austria, the crime of terrorism is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. PHOTO: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters
In addition, the prosecution accuses the defendant and another 21-year-old man of planning terrorist attacks in three locations in the Middle East. A third man, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia, is said to be involved in the plans. All three are suspected of forming a dangerous terrorist cell, she stated Apa.
The defendant, who is on trial in Vienna, admitted his guilt for the accused acts, he allegedly denied it only in the point of the indictment, which charges him with attempted murder. “He pleads guilty to all but attempted murder,” he told the agency AFP said his lawyer Anna Mair.
