Austrian Admits Planning ISIL-Inspired Attack on Taylor Swift Concert

A 21-year-old Austrian has pleaded guilty to plotting an ISIL-inspired strike on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna last August. Authorities foiled the plan a day before Swift was due to perform, forcing the cancellation of three shows. At his trial in Vienna, the defendant acknowledged charges of preparing a shrapnel bomb and seeking to buy weapons for the attack. Prosecutors say he also conspired with two school friends to target tourists and soldiers in Dubai, Istanbul and Mecca in March 2024. Only the third man carried out a stabbing at Mecca’s Grand Mosque and remains in Saudi custody. The court heard that the Austrian travelled to Dubai and Istanbul with the intention to attack, though panic attacks prevented him from striking anyone. He now faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on multiple terrorism-related charges.

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