17-year-old announced intentions to attack Vienna in chat group – radicalization took place on the Internet – Interior Minister thanks investigators
Vienna (OTS) – After the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) received information that an initially unknown supporter of a terrorist organization had expressed strong intentions to carry out an attack in Vienna in a chat group, the person was quickly identified together with the Vienna State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Combating Terrorism (LVT). further investigative measures taken. The Vienna public prosecutor’s office then ordered a house search and the immediate arrest of the suspect on suspicion of membership in a terrorist organization. The suspect had previously radicalized himself online, primarily through Islamist videos.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: “This success in the investigation clearly shows that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution is acting consistently and stubbornly against Islamist extremism. These radicalized people are among the greatest terrorist threats in the free world; we will fight them with all the means at our disposal.” The Interior Minister continued: “In the past few weeks, there have also been attacks against right-wing extremists, against state objectors and against the scene that rejects democracy Extensive measures were taken – numerous house searches and arrests were the result.” Karner said that the current challenges for the Office for the Protection of the Constitution are diverse and complex. “I would like to thank the investigators from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, who are taking professional and comprehensive action against the current threat areas.”
“This case once again shows the concrete danger that is currently posed by Islamist extremism,” emphasized the General Director of Public Security Franz Ruf. “Easily accessible radicalization on the Internet means that potential perpetrators are getting younger and younger and, despite their young age, do not shy away from attacks. Thanks to the investigations and the intervention of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and WEGA, security was guaranteed and a clear signal was sent against terrorism.”
Zwtl.: The suspect is a 17-year-old Austrian
The suspected 17-year-old Austrian citizen shared a picture of himself in a chat group that shows him in relevant clothing with a combat knife in his hand and with the other hand he shows the IS salute. He threatened to carry out an attack in Vienna with his combat knife. When asked by other chat participants, he confirmed that he was actually prepared to carry out an attack. Only later did he finally announce to the group that he would not carry out the attack.
During the house search, paper stencils of the IS logo as well as a combat knife and various data carriers were seized. On September 12, 2023, WEGA arrested the 17-year-old. He was carrying the knife with him, which was also shown in the picture in the chat group. During his interrogation, the suspect revealed himself to be a strict Islamic believer and stated that he had planned an attack in Vienna. He would have accepted the risk of dying himself and cited the attackers in Vienna, Berlin and France as his role models. The suspect glorifies the Islamic State and its activities. He is currently in custody. The investigations by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution are continuing.
DSN director Omar Haijawi-Pirchner said: “In recent months, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has increasingly pointed out the dangers posed by radicalized individual perpetrators. I am pleased about this success in the investigation and would like to thank my DSN team, the LVT Vienna staff and the WEGA emergency services. We will continue to take consistent action against all forms of extremism.”
Questions & Contact:
federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ministerial Councilor Markus Haindl, BA MA
Press spokesman for the Federal Minister
+43 (0) 1-531 26 – 90 1021
markus.haindl@bmi.gv.at
www.bmi.gv.at
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