Plans for Attack on Vienna Westbahnhof: Detention for Teen Extended

On November 25, he was arrested again because he was under surveillance by the intelligence service and observed in possible terrorist activities.

The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office has been investigating the teenager since then for criminal conspiracy and terrorist offenses. As court spokesman Christoph Zonsics-Kral explained upon APA request, the Regional Court continues to assume a risk of committing and executing offenses by the 15-year-old. The current pre-trial detention order is effective until January 12. The teenager is said to have further radicalized during his detention and after his release, and to have engaged in activities in the sense of the terrorist militia "Islamic State" (IS). The police authorities spoke of a "high affinity for radical Islamist propaganda as well as for stabbing weapons and similar items" when the boy was arrested a little over two weeks ago.

Young IS Supporter Wanted to Buy Knife

This was preceded by observations by the Vienna State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE). According to APA information, the 15-year-old was caught when he wanted to buy a knife. Since he was subject to a weapons ban, he is said to have "used" an older cousin, whom he sent into a weapons store. While the cousin purchased the knife, the 15-year-old is said to have waited outside.

After the purchase was successful and the knife came into the possession of the 15-year-old, the authorities identified an imminent danger. The Cobra task force, together with LSE officers, stormed the boy's parents' apartment in Vienna-Hernals. After his arrest, a house search was conducted. The 15-year-old's mobile phone was secured during this. The result of a mobile phone evaluation is still pending.

In JA Josefstadt Allegedly in Contact with Prevented Swift Attacker

In the Josefstadt prison, the 15-year-old does not seem to be completely isolated from other IS supporters. As reported to the APA by several sources, he is said to have repeatedly had "contact" with Beran A. - the now 20-year-old who allegedly planned a terrorist attack on a concert by US singer Taylor Swift at the Ernst Happel Stadium in early August 2024. A few days before the event, officers from the Directorate of State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) managed to intercept Beran A. just in time. Since then, he has been in pre-trial detention in the Josefstadt prison.

Incidentally, the initial court ruling for the prevented Westbahnhof attacker was increased in the second instance. The Higher Regional Court (OLG) Vienna upheld an appeal by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. On October 8, three years of imprisonment, one of which is unconditional, were set in the course of a criminal appeal.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.