Westbahnhof Attack Plan: Teenager Arrested Again

The youth is said to have continued to radicalize during and after his detention, reported the state police directorate on Thursday. The teenager is now in the Josefstadt prison. The public prosecutor's office has filed a request for pre-trial detention.

Apartment in Vienna-Hernals raided

"The youth remained under observation," police spokeswoman Anna Gutt told the APA. During this time, investigators from the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE) noticed that the youth "still showed a high affinity for radical Islamist propaganda as well as for bladed weapons and similar items," as stated by the police. The Vienna public prosecutor's office subsequently ordered a house search of the 15-year-old.

On Tuesday, the Cobra task force, together with the LSE, ultimately stormed his parents' apartment in Vienna-Hernals. The officers secured the 15-year-old's mobile phone. "A detailed evaluation of the relevant material found is still pending," said Gutt. The handcuffs were put on the 15-year-old on the spot. So far, the youth has refused to make a statement. The public prosecutor's office is now investigating the boy on suspicion of criminal conspiracy and terrorist offenses.

Arrest in February

The youth was arrested in February for attack plans against the Vienna Westbahnhof. He was subsequently sentenced in July to two years of partially suspended imprisonment at the Vienna Regional Court, not yet legally binding. After an appeal by the Vienna public prosecutor's office, he was ultimately sentenced on October 8 by the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) to three years of partially suspended imprisonment - two of which are suspended. After his conditional release, he apparently radicalized again relatively quickly. However, court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn noted to the APA on Thursday that the teenager had not violated any conditions. Among other things, the youth was required to prove employment.

(APA/Red)

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