Alleged Terrorist Plot Against Taylor Swift Concert: Accomplice Charged in Germany

The German Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe has brought charges against a suspected accomplice in connection with an alleged thwarted terrorist attack targeting a concert by pop star Taylor Swift, scheduled for August 9, 2024, at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The main suspect, identified as Beran A., is currently in custody in Vienna.

The accused is a 15-year-old Syrian national residing in Brandenburg who is believed to have assisted Beran A. in preparing for the attack. Reports indicate that since mid-July 2024, the teenager has been in frequent communication with the 20-year-old Austrian. Leading up to Beran A.'s arrest, the youth allegedly translated a bomb-making guide from Arabic to German and established online contact with an ISIS member abroad.

Additionally, the teenager reportedly provided Beran A. with a text template for an ISIS loyalty oath, which the latter used to publicly declare his allegiance to the radical Islamist group. Beran A. shared a video of himself reciting this oath online.

The indictment against the Syrian national was submitted to the State Protection Senate of the Berlin Regional Court on June 17, and he faces charges of supporting a foreign terrorist organization and preparing a serious violent crime against the state. It is believed that he has adhered to ISIS ideology since at least April 2024.

Interestingly, the young Syrian is currently free, a decision attributed to his age and "exceptional circumstances," according to officials. The case is characterized by a "short duration of the offense," and authorities have indicated that there is no evidence suggesting the teenager had any plans to directly participate in carrying out the attack.

Prosecutors have emphasized that the 15-year-old was only in virtual contact with Beran A. and that they had never met in person. Judith Ziska, a spokesperson for the Vienna prosecution office, noted that they obtained relevant materials from German investigators concerning the suspect living in Germany. The information gathered, particularly from the teenager, is considered crucial for the ongoing investigation.