Assault on Woman at Wienerberg Pond: 30 Months Imprisonment
The assault happened on July 20, 2023, at the Wienerberg pond in the recreational area. The then 21-year-old screamed so loudly that the man left her alone. The verdict - 30 months, 24 of which are suspended - from a Vienna jury court on Monday is not legally binding.
The young woman wanted to cool off on the hot summer day and went to the pond to swim. Because she felt uncomfortable about her figure, she chose a spot away from the other bathers. On her way there, she noticed a young man who suddenly wanted to sit near her. She didn't want to be rude and agreed. But suddenly, the young Syrian began to masturbate. When he also asked if she had a boyfriend and if he could have her contact details from the Instagram platform, "she became scared," as the prosecutor explained.
Victim in Vienna Photographed Attacker
The woman quickly got dressed, still managed to take two photos of the man with her phone, and walked away quickly. The man followed her and demanded that she stay "five more minutes" to perform sexual acts on him, as stated in the indictment. According to the prosecutor, the woman said, "are you crazy," and wanted to leave. The man then grabbed the now 23-year-old from behind and pushed her towards the bushes. Because the woman began to scream loudly, he let go of her and fled.
Using facial recognition software, the Syrian was identified and charged. He denied the sexual assault. "If it had happened that way, I would remember. I probably just talked to the lady. I talk to a lot of ladies," he said, immediately emphasizing that his religion forbids him from "looking at women, that is Haram." And when asked by the judge, Katharina Adegbite-Lewy, why the woman would make it up: "It didn't happen that way."
Victim Contradictorily Interviewed
The victim, who was questioned as a witness contradictorily in an adjoining room, recounted exactly what happened on the hot July day. She repeatedly said that she was not interested. When the Syrian grabbed her, "I couldn't realize what was happening at that moment." Nevertheless, she screamed loudly and the man let go of her, said the 23-year-old, who still cannot go out alone and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Confronted with the statement of the 23-year-old, the accused said: "There are no witnesses, there is not even any evidence." The judge disagreed: "But there is a witness and there are photos of you." He then claimed that he had never seen the woman. When asked about the photos of him on the 23-year-old's phone, he suddenly said: "I can't remember her. I would not do that from either a human or religious perspective."
Further Proceedings Against 21-Year-Old
Another proceeding is ongoing against the man for dangerous threats with death. He is said to have threatened a man with knives and a pistol along with five others in March of this year. However, the proceeding was separated to conclude the criminal proceedings for the sexual offense.
"There is absolutely no doubt that it happened that way," said the judge, who believed the victim. The previously unblemished Syrian must serve six months of the 30-month sentence in prison. He requested three days to consider, and the prosecutor accepted the verdict. Additionally, he must undergo sexual counseling and probation assistance after his release.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.