The alleged accomplice of a man who plotted a terror attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna is facing execution in Saudi Arabia.
The 21-year-old Austrian suspect, known only as Hasan , is currently on trial for another terror attack in Mecca during which he allegedly stabbed five people in March 2024 on behalf of ISIS.
He is alleged to have conspired with terrorists known as Beran A – the Taylor Swift bomb plotter – and Arda K, who were supposed to carry out simultaneous attacks in Istanbul and Dubai but pulled out at the last minute.
The verdict against Hasan E is expected tomorrow. All attempts made by him to be extradited from Saudi Arabia back to his home country of Austria to escape possible beheading have failed.
He was arrested on the day of his knifing spree in Mecca on March 11, 2024, and investigations revealed that Hasan E was working in a broader terrorist network – allegedly connecting him to Beran A and Arda K and the failed Taylor Swift bomb plot.
Saudi Arabian courts have heard about his alleged links to the planned massacre at the pop star’s Vienna show of her Eras Tour in August 2024.
Conspirators were found with explosives, knives and plans of a ‘massacre’ before they could begin the attack, and the concert was cancelled, disappointing 200,000 fans and Swift herself.
Hasan E is said to have been the jihadist mentor and schoolmate of Beran A – who was jailed for 15 years for his involvement in the planned concert attack.
Arda K was not involved in the Taylor Swift massacre plan but was jailed for 12 years for his involvement in the jihadist cell.
During Hasan E’s trial in Saudi Arabia, the defendants described him as the driving force behind terrorist plans.
While Beran A and Arda K did not carry out their attacks, Hasan E was the only one who is believed to have gone through with his plan.
He is alleged to have bought a knife at a fruit and vegetable market in Mecca and is thought to have then stabbed a security guard in the neck in front of the Al-Haram Mosque. He is said to have then attacked four more people.
All five victims survived, however.
Hasan E was arrested the same day of the attack and has been in custody ever since.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed recently that it is providing consular support and maintaining regular contact with the Austrian national.