Multiple-Year Prison Sentences for ATM Bombers in Vienna

Four cases were the subject of the proceedings. The defendants are Dutch with North African roots (ages 24, 33, and 36). They each pleaded guilty. The court sentenced the trio, not yet legally binding, to prison terms of nine, twelve, and eight years.

The trio was charged on Thursday with aggravated burglary as part of a criminal organization, intentional endangerment by explosives, and serious property damage. The men all fully confessed at the beginning of the trial.

"Quick Money" as a Motive

"He was promised quick money," said the defense attorney of the 24-year-old, explaining how everything unfolded. He spoke of 80,000 euros that were promised to the father of a young daughter at the time. The money was supposed to go to his family. His client, who works as a parcel delivery driver and was previously deemed unaccountable in a prior conviction in the Netherlands, comes from a socially disadvantaged background. He eventually agreed to the offer of an intermediary to obtain money through criminal means, said the defendant, who described himself as a "follower."

He therefore traveled to Austria. On February 12, he carried out his first coup at a bank branch on Wienerbergstraße together with the 33-year-old. The coup in Vienna failed because the explosive did not detonate. Three days later, according to the indictment, they had more luck in Salzburg. After prying open an ATM with a crowbar, they attached an explosive package, which they detonated remotely. The loot amounted to around 108,000 euros.

Police at the Crime Scene in 80 Seconds

Finally, on April 6, the last coup took place, involving all three defendants. With an unknown accomplice, the men blew up three cash dispensers in the foyer of a bank branch on Vorgartenstraße in Vienna-Leopoldstadt using remote cable detonation from outside. "However, the police were on the scene within 80 seconds because the branch was identified as a high-risk location," the prosecutor explained.

There was a confrontation with the authorities. While the 24-year-old was injured by gunshots in the buttocks, the other men managed to escape on scooters. However, the handcuffs clicked for the shot Dutchman.

The 36-year-old also comes from difficult circumstances, his lawyer Klaus Ainedter explained: "Special school, wrong circumstances, wrong friends." He also pointed out that the man's IQ, according to a test, is only 75. He also complimented the investigating SOKO ATM of the Federal Criminal Police Office. "There won't be much to defend here," said Ainedter. He also pointed out that his client "has always been inclined to gambling." The father of two, who the prosecution accuses, in addition to the three heists together with the 24-year-old, of an ATM break-in at a bank branch in Vienna-Liesing, was also lured by quick money. "The organizer said there is a good job in Vienna," he recalled.

No Statements on Backers

The 33-year-old, who is only accused of the ATM explosion in Vienna's Vorgartenstraße, explained in court that he needed money for the treatment of his severely disabled son. His lawyer Michael Dohr pleaded for a lenient sentence in this context.

The three defendants did not want to comment on their contacts on Thursday. "I don't want anything to happen to my family," Dohr explained their motives. When they came to Austria, everything was already "prepared" - including getaway vehicles -, said the 33-year-old. The prosecution spoke on Thursday of "professionally organized structures" and a separate "ATM explosion scene." The men are charged with aggravated burglary, intentional endangerment by explosives, and serious property damage as part of a criminal organization.

The judge took the confessions into account for his verdict on Thursday, but also noted that ATM explosions always require an "executing organ." He did not want to accept that the defendants had merely acted on the instructions of backers. He sentenced the 24-year-old to nine years in prison, the 36-year-old and the 33-year-old received twelve and eight years in prison, respectively. The men must also pay the damages incurred by the affected banks or companies. The three men's lawyers filed an appeal for nullity. The verdicts are therefore not final.

(APA/Red)

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