A Syrian citizen in Germany was prosecuted for backing a foreign terrorist organization with regard to a thwarted scheme to stage an attack on pop star Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna in August 2024.
Mohamed A Linked to ISIS, Says German Prosecutor
Identified as Mohamed A, the German authorities have termed him as a juvenile, although he has not been arrested. Charged with adhering to Islamic State (IS) ideology, he was said to have assisted another prime suspect in preparation for the attack, BBC reported.
In a formal statement, Germany’s federal public prosecutor reported that Mohamed A “held to the ideology” of Islamic State from April last year. He was in touch with an Austrian young adult between “mid-July and August 2024” as there were plans for an attack by bomb at a planned concert of Taylor Swift in Vienna.
Charges Filed in June, Details Emerge Now
According to The New York Times, the “Syrian teenager” was last week charged with crimes, but only revealed on Friday, June 27. Up to now, his precise age hasn’t been publicly disclosed by the authorities. Some of the charges are providing support to a foreign terrorism group as well as assisting in preparing a “serious act of violence threatening the state.”
The German investigators have accused him of respecting privacy regulations. He supposedly assisted in the translation of instructions for making bombs from Arabic and offered text for an oath of loyalty to the prime suspect for recruiting in the terror group.
Vienna Shows of Taylor Swift Cancelled After Threat
As part of her historic Eras Tour, the 35-year-old was expected to perform three concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna between August 8 and 10 last year. When government officials got to know about a planned terrorist attack, the shows were later canceled.
Two suspects were later arrested. These included a 19-year-old with claimed ISIS connections as well as a 17-year-old, who was also reported to have been influenced by the terror group and al-Qaeda.
Another individual was later arrested on August 9 last year, who was reportedly an 18-year-old from the “social environment” of the main suspect, according to The Associated Press.
Prime Suspect Beran A Linked to IS Cell, Caught After CIA Tip
The primary suspect in the case, as reported by BBC, is Beran A, who is suspected to be a member of an IS cell in Austria’s eastern region. He is currently 20 years of age and was apprehended following a tip from the CIA.
FAQs
1. How many people were expected at Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna?
As per reports, 65,000 fans of the singer bought tickets for the three shows on August 8–10.
2. What was Taylor Swift’s reaction?
In an Instagram post, she said the cancellation due to the threat filled her with a “new sense of fear.” She added that she felt “a tremendous amount of guilt” as a large number of people made plans to take part in her shows.
3. What was the schedule for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour?
It kickstarted in Arizona in March 2023, while the final show was held in Vancouver, British Columbia in December last year.
