A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for plotting an attack on Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” concerts in Vienna. The case involved a planned jihadist-inspired attack that led to the cancellation of three major shows in 2024.

Conviction and Charges

The 21-year-old Austrian citizen, identified as Beran A. under local privacy rules, was found guilty on Thursday. He was convicted of terrorist offences and membership in a terrorist organisation linked to the Islamic State group.

He had been accused of planning to attack fans outside Ernst Happel Stadium. Prosecutors said he planned to use knives or homemade explosives. He also allegedly pledged allegiance to the group.

He has been in custody since August 2024.

Before the verdict, he told the court, “I would just like to say that I am sorry,” reports the AP.

Defence and Admission

The defendant pleaded guilty at the start of his trial in April, according to his lawyer. He also admitted to some of the charges.

His lawyer, Anna Mair, said at the start of the trial: “Of course, he deeply regrets it all,” and “He says it was the biggest mistake of his life.”

Wider Plot Allegations

Authorities said Beran A. worked with Arda K. They allegedly planned coordinated attacks in different countries during Ramadan. These included Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. However, only Beran A. faced charges linked to the Vienna concert plot.

Impact on the Concerts

The Vienna shows were part of Taylor Swift’s global “Eras Tour.” Tens of thousands of fans had travelled to Austria for the events.

Officials cancelled the concerts after the plot was uncovered. The decision was made to protect public safety.

Swift later reacted to the cancellations on social media:

“Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions,” she wrote. “Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows. But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives.”