Austrian authorities have filed terrorism charges against a 21-year-old man accused of plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, a threat that led to the cancellation of her 2024 shows in the country.
Prosecutors announced Monday that the suspect, who has been in custody since his arrest in August 2024, faces multiple terror-related offenses. If convicted, he could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
The alleged plot prompted officials to scrap three scheduled dates of Swift’s record-breaking “Eras” Tour in Austria during the summer of 2024 after security agencies issued warnings.
According to a statement from prosecutors, the accused had been a member of a terrorist organisation since May 2023. He is alleged to have planned and prepared an attack targeting Swift’s Vienna concert.
Authorities claim the suspect shared propaganda linked to the Islamic State (IS) through messaging platforms and publicly aligned himself with the extremist group.
Investigators further allege that he attempted to acquire weapons and worked on constructing a shrapnel bomb consistent with tactics associated with IS attacks. He is also said to have received guidance from other members of the group on handling explosives.
Prosecutors added that the suspect was allegedly connected to additional attack plans outside Austria, including in Dubai and Istanbul, though those plots did not materialise.
The Vienna plan was ultimately thwarted with assistance from United States intelligence services.
In a related development last year, a Berlin court convicted a 16-year-old Syrian national for contributing to the same plot. The teenager received an 18-month suspended sentence.
Following the cancellations in 2024, Swift addressed fans on social media, expressing fear and guilt over the disrupted concerts and the impact on those who had planned to attend.
The case remains ongoing as Austrian courts prepare to hear the charges.
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