Latest news with #BeranA
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Syrian charged over plot to attack Taylor Swift Vienna concert
VIENNA — A young Syrian national has been charged with supporting a foreign terror group over a foiled plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last August. Mohamed A, who is described by German authorities as a juvenile and not in custody, is accused of following the ideology of jihadist group Islamic State (IS) and helping another suspect to prepare the attack. Concert organisers called off Taylor Swift's three sold-out gigs on the eve of the first show at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium last year, disappointing tens of thousands of fans during her Eras Tour. Authorities arrested several suspects at the time saying they appeared to have been inspired by IS and al-Qaeda. "Mohammad A has adhered since April 2024 at the latest to the ideology of the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS)," Germany's federal public prosecutor said in a statement. "Between mid-July and August 2024, he was in contact with a young adult from Austria who was planning a bomb attack on a concert by singer Taylor Swift in Vienna." Sixty-five thousand fans had bought tickets for Swift's three concerts on 8-10 August, and the singer later apologised for the cancellation, speaking of the "tremendous amount of guilt" she felt. She said she had decided to throw all her energy into the shows at the end of her European tour in London. The main suspect in the case has been identified as Beran A, who authorities say was part of an IS cell in eastern Austria. Beran A, who is now 20 and from Ternitz south of Vienna, was arrested before the concerts following a tip-off by the CIA, which said the plotters had hoped to kill a large number of concert-goers. Investigators allege he had also planned to carry out an earlier attack in Dubai in March 2024. Reports suggested it was part of a co-ordinated plot involving three simultaneous IS attacks but Beran A had changed his mind at the last minute. According to the federal prosecutor in Germany, Mohammad A had helped the main suspect with a translation of bomb-making instructions from Arabic as well as making contact with a member of IS abroad over the internet. He is also accused of providing the text for an oath of allegiance to the main suspect to join IS. — BBC
Roya News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Roya News
Daesh supporter charged over Taylor Swift 2024 Austria concert terror plot
A young Syrian national has been charged in Germany with supporting a terrorist organization in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024, federal prosecutors confirmed this week. The suspect, identified only as Mohammad A due to his age, is reportedly not in custody but is facing charges related to his alleged support of Daesh. German authorities say he played a role in aiding a co-conspirator in Austria with plans to target Swift's Eras Tour performance. According to the federal prosecutor's office, Mohammad A had embraced Daesh ideology by at least April 2024 and began communicating with an Austrian suspect, Beran A, during the summer. Between July and August, investigators say the pair exchanged messages related to a bombing plot targeting the pop star's scheduled concerts at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium, which were expected to draw over 65,000 fans across three days. The concerts were abruptly canceled just before the first show, leaving fans disappointed and sparking questions. At the time, authorities revealed multiple arrests and cited concerns about plots inspired by Daesh and Al-Qaeda. Mohammad A is accused of translating Arabic-language bomb-making instructions and helping the Austrian suspect connect with Daesh operatives abroad. He also allegedly drafted an oath of allegiance to Daesh on behalf of the main suspect. That suspect, 20-year-old Beran A of Ternitz, was arrested in Austria shortly before the concerts, following a tip-off from the CIA. US intelligence reportedly warned that the suspects aimed to inflict mass casualties. Authorities believe Beran A had also considered an earlier attack in Dubai in March 2024, as part of a possible triad of Daesh-coordinated strikes, but backed out at the last moment.
