Six-Year-Old Showed SOS Distress Signal in Vienna: Acquittal for Stepfather

Both the partner and the stepdaughter refrained from testifying, which led the judge to release the defendant. The prosecution waived any legal remedies, making the verdict legally binding.

The man was accused of intercepting his wife and the two children - the six-year-old and an infant - at the end of November, threatening them, and forcing them into his car. Because he allegedly pressed a knife against the woman's throat, the prosecution considered it a case of severe coercion and deprivation of liberty. The man is then said to have driven through Vienna with the three abducted individuals against their will until he had a rear-end collision on the Gürtel.

The man made a dismissive impression on the police. "We thought of drugs," said an officer during the trial. Upon closer inspection, a female officer noticed that the six-year-old girl in the back seat was giving the SOS distress signal with her hand. The 39-year-old was arrested.

Adventurous Version in Court in Vienna

The defendant, against whom a restraining order is in place, told a rather adventurous version of events in court in Vienna. He claimed to have led a harmonious family life with his wife, his son, and his stepdaughter. Only towards the "Republic of Austria" did the woman speak poorly of him. However, a few weeks ago, the daughter's father was released from prison and, together with his partner, allegedly plotted against him.

During the trial, both the partner and the stepdaughter, who was interviewed by a psychologist in a separate room, refrained from testifying. Therefore, their statements to the police could not be included in the proceedings. Judge Magdalena Klestil-Krausam had no choice but to acquit the defendant despite his "absolutely unbelievable" statements. The prosecution also waived any legal remedies.

(APA/Red)

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