Verdict Against 18-Year-Old in Trial After Foiled Attack on Taylor Swift Concert in Vienna

The accused, Luca K., was arrested two days before the Taylor Swift concert at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna and has been in pre-trial detention since then. This time will be credited to him. The verdict is not legally binding.

18-Year-Old Charged with Terrorist Association and Criminal Organization

Luca K. was convicted for the offense of terrorist association and criminal organization. He had shared propaganda material of the terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS) and praised the Vienna attacker who killed four people on November 2, 2020. The accused essentially pleaded guilty to this. Not part of the indictment was an initially alleged involvement of Luca K. in attack plans against the second of three scheduled performances by Taylor Swift at the Happel Stadium last August.

His client was not the closest friend of Beran A., against whom the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office is still investigating on suspicion of terrorism: "He was one of several in a circle of friends he had joined," emphasized defense attorney Michael Dohr. He was surprised by the quick trial, and whether he would accept the verdict would be decided in the coming days. Basically, due to his client's age, there is the possibility of a half-sentence - with credit for pre-trial detention, he could be released in a few months. The prosecution has not made a statement.

"You Were Not Just a Follower"

Throughout the entire questioning, Luca K. appeared reformed. "Today I see it all as a mistake. I am glad that I was imprisoned. I have had a daughter, I see life more seriously now." He had fallen into the wrong circles and was "naive." The judge was not entirely convinced: "You were by no means just the follower you wanted to portray yourself as." As an example, the judge cited a message in which Luca K. reprimands Beran A. for visiting an ATIB mosque, as it allows "Western values like police and elections." He was also aware that by sending the files, he was supporting IS. A long topic of the trial was a video in which he is seen with a second person. Although he did not pledge allegiance to the caliph of IS, as the indictment accused, he did encourage the other youth. Additionally, he struck a pose similar to that of the Vienna attacker before he killed four people and injured many others in downtown Vienna.

"Want to Live a Life Like Other Muslims"

Luca K. converted to Islam in 2022 - previously without a confession - and seemed to have practiced it very strictly. For example, he ordered his wife, then married under Islamic law, to wear gloves in addition to full veiling. Today, he is a devout Muslim, he said in response to a juror's question. But: "I want to live like other Muslims in Austria who are not terrorists." He first radicalized on the internet, then in the Tewhid Mosque in Meidling. A representative of the deradicalization association DERAD, who has been supporting him since the end of last year, attested to his positive development during the trial. Unlike many others, Luca K. did not try to "downplay" or relativize his previous attitudes. However, a "guarantee" that he is deradicalized cannot - fundamentally never - be given. It remains to be seen in which circles he will move after a possible release.

(APA/Red)

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