With Bomb Threat: Teenager in Vienna Convicted

A young Syrian woman was held accountable at the regional court on Thursday because she had threatened the Vienna police with a bomb attack on November 29, 2024. The then 15-year-old was caught shoplifting in Lugner City and brought to a police station for questioning. She was found guilty of making dangerous threats and was sentenced to two months suspended, within a legal framework of up to six months.

"The bomb will destroy you all"

During her police interrogation, the young Muslim initially confused the officers by stating that it was "permissible to steal from Kuffar (infidels, ed.)." An officer pointed out the Austrian legal system to her, to which she replied that she did not want "to be in a room with Kuffar." Subsequently, she stated that she would "throw a bomb in an officer's face." She also claimed to have a knife with her. "The bomb will destroy you all," said the 15-year-old, "I will start with this police station."

During the subsequent search, no knife was found. However, in the young Syrian's backpack, two framed pictures with IS flags were discovered. As further investigations revealed, the alleged sympathizer of the radical Islamic terrorist militia "Islamic State" (IS) had posed with these pictures in front of prominent places in Vienna along with a friend and had herself photographed. These photos are said to have spread on social media channels.

The prosecutor's office apparently did not consider this as IS propaganda, and the framed pictures were not an issue in the main trial. The accused was also not charged with actually planning an attack. "She is not accused of planning an attack. That has been dismissed," the prosecutor noted.

"It came from provocation and anger"

The now 16-year-old, who appeared at the trial wearing a hijab covering her hair and neck, admitted to the incriminated statements. "It came from provocation and anger," said the teenager, represented by defense attorney David Jodlbauer. One of the two police officers, whom the accused addressed by his first name, had "said a few words that made me feel provoked. I won't let any man tell me to go back to my country." Therefore, she "wanted to scare them (the two police officers, ed.) a little."

"She said she would blow us all up because we are so disrespectful. And she personally told me that she would throw the bomb at me and that the bomb would be the last thing I see in life," reported one of the two officers. The then 15-year-old was "very upset." When asked if he was afraid, the 27-year-old replied: "I personally didn't take it that seriously. I didn't feel threatened."

His colleague of the same age felt differently. "I took it seriously. I was put in fear and unrest," the officer described. Upon further judicial inquiry, he clarified: "You feel sick. Hot. You get a high pulse. You sleep poorly for days."

For the accused, this was incomprehensible. "People who are more mature in the head shouldn't believe that from a 15-year-old," she said. When asked if she wanted to apologize to the officers, she answered with a clear "No." She also did not change her legal view that it is permissible to take valuables from non-Muslims: "I want to stick with it. Because that's how it is." The judge then remarked: "This will happen more often in Austria, that you will have to be in a room with non-believers. Will you manage that?" The now 16-year-old answered this question with silence.

Although IS itself was not the subject of the trial, Judge Daniel Potmesil wanted to know: "What is your stance on IS?" - "I have no relationship to it." - "What is your stance on terrorist attacks?" - "I have no statement on that." - "What is your stance on non-believers?" - "I have no contact."

"Then just don't think it"

The 16-year-old seems to have had difficult years within the family and experienced violence. The teenager is under the care of MA 11 and is placed in foster care. When the judge offered her psychotherapy - such an order would have required the consent of the accused - she declined: "I don't want to do it. I don't want to." Thus, in the end, the judgment in connection with the probation sentence could only order probation assistance with the Neustart association. The 16-year-old didn't want that either, but her consent was not necessary for it. "I can handle it myself," she assured the judge, not needing any social work help. "I don't think so," he replied, to which she responded, "Then just don't think it."

(APA/Red)

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