Verdict Against Styrian Bomb Maker Now Final

The man must remain in prison for life, and the OLG also emphasized the commitment to a forensic-therapeutic center. The verdict is now final.

The Styrian from the south of Graz was convicted in April in the first instance at the Graz Regional Criminal Court for the crime of terrorist offenses as well as attempted murder of his ex-wife, his daughter, and his son. The 56-year-old and his lawyer appealed and sought a milder sentence. Additionally, the accused wanted to contest the commitment.

"Gentle Signs of Insight"

At the appeal hearing, Judge Wolfgang Redtenbacher therefore summoned court expert Manfred Walzl. He explained that he had re-evaluated the Styrian on Thursday in the Graz-Jakomini prison during pre-trial detention. "There are first, gentle signs of insight," said the expert. However, he fully upheld his report from the trial in April and continued to recommend commitment to a forensic-therapeutic center.

The defendant's lawyer argued that the initially charged 35-fold attempted murder had not held, and therefore the maximum sentence was not appropriate. He cited several mitigating reasons, including the 56-year-old's lack of a criminal record, his willingness to cooperate, and his confession. But Judge Redtenbacher and the two associate judges decided that the sentence was appropriate. Aggravating factors included multiple crimes - including the attempted murder of his own ex-wife and biological children - as well as particular malice and persistence: "That weighs so heavily that nothing other than life imprisonment is possible," said the judge.

He also followed the expert's recommendation, who still sees the accused's level of danger as significantly increased. Therefore, commitment is also indispensable. The verdict is now final.

Bombs Placed in Styria

The IT technician had placed several bombs at cars and buildings of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Styria from summer 2023 to May 2024. Some of the explosives also went off. No one was injured, but the detonations were potentially life-threatening. He had targeted his ex-wife, as he quickly confessed after his arrest. The bombs at the other Jehovah's Witnesses were just a diversionary tactic.

(APA/Red)

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