DistantNews
Support us
Terror plot foiled: 12 and 15 years for IS cell members
🇦🇹 Austria /Crime & Justice

Terror plot foiled: 12 and 15 years for IS cell members

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Two men received 15 and 12-year prison sentences for their involvement in a thwarted terrorist plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna.
  • The convicted men were part of an IS cell that also supported a third individual in carrying out a knife attack in Mecca.
  • The court rejected the defendants' claims of being mere followers, finding them guilty of various terrorism-related offenses.

A court in Wiener Neustadt has sentenced two men to 15 and 12 years in prison for their roles in a terrorist cell that planned attacks in Mecca and Vienna. The cell, linked to the Islamic State (IS), aimed to carry out simultaneous attacks in Mecca, Istanbul, and Dubai in March 2024.

Beran A., 21, received 15 years, while Arda K. was sentenced to 12 years. Both were convicted of terrorism-related offenses, including attempted murder and traveling for terrorist purposes. They were found to have supported Hasan E., a third member of the cell, in a knife attack on a security guard near the Kaaba in Mecca. Hasan E. is currently in custody in Saudi Arabia awaiting trial.

I wanted to arm myself as strongly as possible so that I could make a big name for myself.

— Beran A.Beran A. confessed to planning an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, stating his motivation was to gain fame within the Islamic State.

The defendants attempted to portray Hasan E. as the main instigator, claiming they were merely followers. However, the eight-person jury did not accept this narrative. Beran A. also admitted to planning an attack on a second Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024, motivated by a desire for fame and to be seen as a "hero" within the IS.

The court found the men guilty of a wide range of terrorist crimes, including participation in attempted murder, travel for terrorist purposes, training for terrorist purposes, and belonging to a terrorist and criminal organization. The jury unanimously agreed on the key charges and sentences.

The impression these defendants have left is not that of poor followers who are easily influenced.

— ProsecutorThe prosecutor argued against the defendants' claims of being easily influenced followers during his closing statement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog