Headlines
Austria files charges against suspect over planned 2024 Taylor Swift attack
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Summary
Austrian prosecutors charge a suspect for planning an attack on a 2024 Taylor Swift concert, leading to concert cancellations.
Austria Charges Suspect in Foiled Attack on Taylor Swift Concert
Details of the Planned Attack
VIENNA, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Austrian prosecutors have filed terrorism-related and other charges against a now 21-year-old suspect arrested shortly before a 2024 Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, who they said planned to carry out an Islamist militant attack.
Suspect's Background and Arrest
The Vienna prosecutors' office plans to bring a criminal case against the unnamed suspect in Wiener Neustadt, a town near Vienna, accusing him of producing a small amount of the explosive triacetone triperoxide and attempting to purchase weapons illegally, it said in a statement on Monday.
Charges and Potential Sentencing
The statement referred to the suspect's arrest in August 2024, the same month as three planned Swift concerts were cancelled at short notice after Austrian authorities said they had foiled an attack.
Impact on Concerts and Security
The statement from the prosecutors' office did not name the suspect, but he was identified by Austrian media as Beran A and is the only one to have been arrested in connection with the planned attack. Beran A's lawyer was not immediately available for comment but has previously disputed accusations made against his client.
The prosecutors' statement said the suspect was a member of Islamic State and that he is accused of carrying out online research into a type of shrapnel bomb used by that group, and of spreading Islamic State "propaganda material" online.
If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison, the statement added.
(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Alex Richardson and Sharon Singleton)
Key Takeaways
- •Austrian prosecutors charge a suspect over a planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert.
- •The suspect allegedly produced explosives and attempted illegal weapon purchases.
- •The planned attack led to the cancellation of three Taylor Swift concerts.
- •The suspect is accused of being a member of the Islamic State.
- •If convicted, the suspect faces up to 20 years in prison.
Frequently Asked Questions about Austria files charges against suspect over planned 2024 Taylor Swift attack
1What is terrorism financing?
Terrorism financing refers to the process of providing financial support to individuals or groups that engage in terrorist activities. This can include funding for operations, recruitment, and propaganda.
2What is Islamic finance?
Islamic finance is a financial system that operates in accordance with Islamic law (Sharia). It prohibits interest (riba) and promotes risk-sharing, ethical investments, and social justice.
3What is financial crime?
Financial crime encompasses a range of illegal activities involving money or financial transactions, including fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing.
4What is investment management?
Investment management is the professional management of various securities and assets to meet specified investment goals for the benefit of investors.
5What is financial security?
Financial security refers to the state of having stable income or other resources to support a standard of living now and in the foreseeable future.
