Terror Attack in Villach: Report on Intent Submitted to Higher Authority

The public prosecutor's office in Klagenfurt submitted a project report to the higher authority in the investigation proceedings following the Islamist terrorist attack in Villach last February. Public prosecutor's office spokesman Markus Kitz confirmed to APA upon request the FPÖ's information that the suspect, a Syrian, had traveled to Iraq a few months before the attack. However, Kitz did not confirm that he had radicalized there or attended a "terror camp."

Allegations from the FPÖ not confirmed

FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker and the web platform "Auf1" expressed a corresponding suspicion. The man may have "possibly fled to Syria and radicalized" from Iraq, Hafenecker said in a statement. "There is also suspicion that he attended a terror camp there." Furthermore, Hafenecker believes that the Syrian may have had accomplices, behind whom he suspects an Islamist network in Austria and Germany.

Public prosecutor's office: Radicalization exclusively via social media

Regarding the suspect's trip to Iraq, Kitz said that the public prosecutor's office received the Syrian's passenger data a few days after the attack. He had flown in a group, including a relative, from Berlin to Erbil in Iraq on September 10, 2024, to visit family members there. After the return flight on September 30, he stayed in Germany for a few more weeks before returning to Austria. The investigators did not attach any particular significance to the trip. There is no evidence that the man traveled on to Syria, participated in a "terror camp," or otherwise radicalized. "We only know that he visited relatives there." According to the investigation results, he radicalized exclusively via social media, Kitz said.

Further course unclear

The project report now goes to the Graz public prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Justice, where it must be approved in content. Only then will it be clear whether charges will be filed or further investigations will follow. Theoretically, a dismissal would also be possible.

In the Islamist terrorist attack on February 15, a 23-year-old Syrian randomly stabbed people in the middle of downtown Villach. A 14-year-old teenager was killed, and five other people were seriously injured, some life-threateningly. A 42-year-old Syrian, who was working as a food delivery driver, recognized the situation, drove into the attacker, and thus stopped him. The 23-year-old was arrested at the scene and has been in custody since then.

(APA/Red)

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