Pre-Trial Detention Imposed on Suspected IS Terrorist in Vienna

A 20-year-old man suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) has been placed in pre-trial detention by the Vienna Regional Court following his arrest in Vienna. The court granted a request from the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating the individual for alleged involvement in a terrorist organization. Court spokesperson Daniel Rechenmacher confirmed that the decision was made based on concerns regarding the risk of reoffending and the possibility of flight.

The pre-trial detention order is effective for an initial period of 14 days, expiring on May 10. However, the decision can be challenged by the suspect, who is currently held at the Vienna-Josefstadt correctional facility. Should he file an appeal, the Vienna Higher Regional Court will need to review the basis for his detention.

The suspect, a Slovak citizen residing in Vienna, is believed to have been part of a terrorist cell linked to an attempted attack during a Taylor Swift concert at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. Since late spring 2023, he, along with another suspect, is alleged to have been planning simultaneous attacks in locations including Mecca, Dubai, and Istanbul, intended to occur in February 2024.

According to investigations, the individual was supposed to execute an attack in Istanbul on March 11, 2024, but did not carry out this plan. He traveled to Istanbul on March 4, 2024, where he met with Hasan E., another individual involved in the plot. The two spent several days in Istanbul before Hasan E. traveled to Mecca on March 7.

In Mecca, Hasan E. executed an attack where he stabbed five people with a knife purchased at a local market, resulting in several serious injuries. He was subsequently arrested in Saudi Arabia and is awaiting trial. Meanwhile, the other suspects returned to Austria without executing their planned attacks in Istanbul or Dubai. Following their return, Beran A., another suspect, was identified and arrested while allegedly preparing for an attack on the Taylor Swift concert scheduled for August 9.

The Austrian State Protection and Intelligence Directorate became aware of this plan through a foreign partner service. Beran A., a Slovak national, continued to reside in Vienna until his recent arrest. Investigations revealed that he had been under surveillance by state security authorities at least since the previous autumn, which likely influenced the timing of the police intervention.