Partner of Prevented Taylor Swift Attacker Convicted in Vienna
VIENNA – The 18-year-old partner of Beran A., the man arrested last August for allegedly planning a terrorist attack targeting Taylor Swift’s concert in Vienna, was convicted today following a trial centered on her continued support for islamic State (IS) ideology despite her partner’s arrest. The conviction stems from the acquisition of Salafist literature and IS propaganda material, even after ending her relationship with Beran A.
The case highlights the complexities of de-radicalization efforts and the ongoing scrutiny of individuals connected to suspected terrorists, even if not directly involved in plotting attacks. While the court acknowledged the defendant was “very deep into the matter” of IS ideology, it was not proven she knew of her partner’s specific plans to target the August concert at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium.
According to the Vienna prosecutor’s office, the defendant and Beran A. married on June 3,2024,according to Islamic law. Following objections to the marriage from the teenager’s brother, who asserted his role as “guardian,” she allegedly offered to become Beran A.’s “slave” to maintain the relationship, a proposition both accepted until his arrest on July 29th. Chat evaluations revealed the pair had actively exchanged and reinforced extremist views,focusing on the killing of “infidels.”
The defendant confessed to guilt at the start of the trial, stating, “I admit guilt. I regret that I did the things,” but invoked her right to remain silent and declined to answer questions about the specifics of her actions. Evidence presented included a WhatsApp video sent in late February featuring a Nasheed – a praise song glorifying the fight against non-believers – discovered during the evaluation of Beran A.’s confiscated cell phones.
The defendant was initially taken into custody for two months in March, an experience her defence attorney argued contributed to a de-radicalization process. Beran A.remains in custody in Vienna while investigations by the prosecutor’s office continue.
