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A young Syrian national, identified as Mohamed A., has been charged with supporting a foreign terror group in connection with a thwarted attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last August. The suspect, referred to as a juvenile by German authorities, is currently not in custody. Allegations state he was inspired by the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (IS) and assisted another individual in planning the attack.
The concert, hosted at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium, was set to attract tens of thousands of fans. However, the event was called off on the eve of the first of the three sold-out performances due to security threats, leaving many disappointed.
German federal prosecutors revealed that Mohamed A. had been engaging with the ideology of IS since at least April 2024. Investigations indicated that between mid-July and August 2024, he maintained communication with an older suspect, Beran A., who was reportedly plotting a bomb attack at Swift's concert. The decision to cancel the concerts was driven by urgent security concerns, following the arrests of several individuals linked to the plot who were reportedly motivated by IS and al-Qaeda ideologies.
Beran A., the main suspect, is a 20-year-old from Ternitz, just south of Vienna. His arrest took place prior to the scheduled performances, following a tip-off from the CIA that revealed plans to execute a deadly attack, aiming to inflict mass casualties on attendees. Investigators noted that Beran A. had also considered an earlier attack in Dubai earlier in the year, but ultimately changed his plans.
The charges against Mohamed A. include allegations of translating bomb-making instructions from Arabic and liaising with IS operatives online. Furthermore, he is accused of drafting a solemn pledge for Beran A. to formally join the terrorist organization. The cancellation of Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts drew public interest, with the artist expressing her sorrow over the situation and her commitment to ensuring safety for all fans during her European tour.
A young Syrian national, identified as Mohamed A., has been charged with supporting a foreign terror group in connection with a thwarted attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last August. The suspect, referred to as a juvenile by German authorities, is currently not in custody. Allegations state he was inspired by the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (IS) and assisted another individual in planning the attack.
The concert, hosted at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium, was set to attract tens of thousands of fans. However, the event was called off on the eve of the first of the three sold-out performances due to security threats, leaving many disappointed.
German federal prosecutors revealed that Mohamed A. had been engaging with the ideology of IS since at least April 2024. Investigations indicated that between mid-July and August 2024, he maintained communication with an older suspect, Beran A., who was reportedly plotting a bomb attack at Swift's concert. The decision to cancel the concerts was driven by urgent security concerns, following the arrests of several individuals linked to the plot who were reportedly motivated by IS and al-Qaeda ideologies.
Beran A., the main suspect, is a 20-year-old from Ternitz, just south of Vienna. His arrest took place prior to the scheduled performances, following a tip-off from the CIA that revealed plans to execute a deadly attack, aiming to inflict mass casualties on attendees. Investigators noted that Beran A. had also considered an earlier attack in Dubai earlier in the year, but ultimately changed his plans.
The charges against Mohamed A. include allegations of translating bomb-making instructions from Arabic and liaising with IS operatives online. Furthermore, he is accused of drafting a solemn pledge for Beran A. to formally join the terrorist organization. The cancellation of Taylor Swift's Vienna concerts drew public interest, with the artist expressing her sorrow over the situation and her commitment to ensuring safety for all fans during her European tour.
