21-Year-Old Charged in Taylor Swift Concert Attack Plan

Austrian public prosecutors have filed terrorism-related charges against a 21-year-old suspect accused of planning an attack targeting one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna in August 2024.

According to prosecutors, the unnamed defendant allegedly declared allegiance to the Islamic State group by sharing propaganda material and videos through messaging services.

Authorities say he also obtained online instructions for constructing a shrapnel bomb using the explosive triacetone triperoxide, a substance typically associated with extremist attacks, and produced a small quantity of the material.

Prosecutors further allege that the suspect made several attempts to purchase weapons illegally outside Austria and bring them into the country. The defendant is currently in custody, and prosecutors plan to pursue the case in Wiener Neustadt, a town near Vienna.

Austrian authorities canceled three planned Taylor Swift shows in Vienna in August 2024 after saying they had foiled an apparent plot to target the performances.

U.S. intelligence was shared with Austrian partners and contributed to the decision to cancel the concerts.

Officials have described the cooperation as part of ongoing international counterterrorism efforts