Attack in Mecca: Trial Against Lower Austrian Detained in Saudi Arabia

The main trial against the young man, who stabbed five people with a knife in Mecca at the beginning of March last year, is expected to take place "in a few weeks," according to "Kurier".

The Foreign Ministry in Vienna stated on Thursday in response to an APA inquiry that the Austrian embassy in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh has been in contact with Hasan E. since the arrest became known and provides consular support through prison visits. However, there is currently "no information available" on the further criminal proceedings and the potential sentence, said a spokeswoman. As a matter of data protection, no details are generally communicated. However, the Foreign Ministry is "in ongoing exchange with the family as well as with the Saudi authorities".

Young Lower Austrian was apparently part of an IS network

Hasan E., who grew up in the district of Bruck an der Leitha, is accused of a religiously and ideologically motivated attack on the grounds of the Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. Although the act took place on March 11, 2024, the Saudi authorities only informed about the incident eleven days later - by informing a German liaison officer about Hasan E., who then passed this knowledge on to Austrian authorities. After the attack became known, the public prosecutor's office in Korneuburg also initiated a so-called domestic procedure against the 20-year-old for attempted murder, terrorist association, and criminal organization, as is usual in such constellations.

E. was apparently part of an IS network that had formed in eastern Austria and to which Beran A. also belongs. Beran A. is said to have planned a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert scheduled at the Ernst Happel Stadium in early August 2024. Hasan E. and Beran A. are believed to have known each other and maintained close contact at least since May 2023. Since February 2024, they are said to have planned simultaneous attacks in Mecca, Dubai, and Istanbul at the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan with a third IS supporter, about whom nothing further is currently known. While Hasan E. carried out his intentions, Beran A. returned from Dubai without having accomplished anything, where he had gone in early March. No terrorist attack occurred in Istanbul either.

Number of executions in Saudi Arabia increased

The death penalty is applied in Saudi Arabia. According to the human rights organization, the number of executions increased significantly last year: While 172 people were executed in 2023, there was nearly a doubling to 345 executions in 2024.

(APA/Red)

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