NÖ: Terror Trial Against 15-Year-Old Ends with Diversion

The teenager was accused of participating in a terrorist organization, a criminal organization, and making dangerous threats. According to the prosecution, the radicalization lasted at least from April to July 2024.

IS Propaganda Spread on the Internet: Trial Against 15-Year-Old

At the time of the crime, the 14-year-old allegedly posted or spread IS-glorifying photos as well as audio and video files on several internet platforms. Among other things, there was a call "to slaughter infidels," said the prosecutor. The teenager supported IS and "wanted to recruit more brothers for jihad." "Hopefully something will happen," he allegedly posted regarding a possible attack. On the teenager's phone, 354 video and 147 audio files were found.

On July 5, 2024, the teenager allegedly posted a collage of three images on an Instagram account, accompanied by an IS nasheed (religious chant, note) and a fatwa - an expert opinion - from an Islamic scholar, stating that apostates should be killed. The heads of three people - including a Viennese SPÖ politician and a German Salafist preacher - were circled in red. A handgun was allegedly visible, pixelated but recognizable. "I didn't know who they were," said the defendant about the depicted individuals.

Defendant: "I Wanted to Feel Cool"

"I was on my phone at home all day," said the 15-year-old born in Vienna, who has since moved back with his family from the Gänserndorf district to the capital. "I wanted to feel cool." He has since realized, "that I made a mistake." His defense attorney stated that the teenager could not properly assess the content at the time.

Arrest After Tip from Germany

After a tip from Germany, the teenager was arrested at the end of July 2024. At the end of August of the previous year, the youth was released from pre-trial detention, and conditions were imposed on him. These included attending school and completing probation assistance as well as a deradicalization program.

The teenager was described by witnesses as reliable. A "solidified" IS radicalization was not detected within the framework of the deradicalization program, it was stated.

Judge Saw Diversion "Just Barely" Possible

In the present case, a diversion was "just barely" possible, said the judge. The probation period is two years, and probation assistance was ordered. Additionally, there was "the strict instruction" to continue the deradicalization measure. It is a "last chance" for the youth "not to have his professional life blocked by a criminal record," emphasized the judge.

(APA/Red)

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