Plans for Terror Attack on Vienna's Westbahnhof: Trial to Start in July

The indictment filed by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office at the Regional Court paints a shocking picture. It shows that the student, who celebrated his 15th birthday just a few weeks ago, apparently pursued his terrorist intentions far more intensively than was previously publicly known. Accordingly, he is said to have been extensively involved with IS since August 2024 and to have obtained and forwarded corresponding propaganda material. From autumn, he then began to take an interest in explosives and explosive devices. He is said to have obtained and downloaded corresponding construction plans from the internet. Through Telegram channels, the then 14-year-old tried to "educate himself" by inquiring about online tutorials on the production of explosive substances. As the evaluation of his mobile phone revealed, the IS-teen is also likely to have consumed such videos.

Attack promised for summer 2025

After the turn of the year, the then 14-year-old is said to have repeatedly been in contact with an IS liaison man via a messenger app. According to the indictment, he assured this person between February 5 and 7 that he would pledge allegiance to IS and carry out an attack "with explosives, firearms, or knives" in Vienna in the summer of 2025. The attack plans were directed against "infidels and police officers," and a hostage-taking was also considered.

Independently of this, the then 14-year-old is said to have taken preparatory actions towards a crime involving explosives (§ 175 StGB) between January 24 and February 9. From the perspective of the law enforcement agency, aluminum pipes and table legs secured in the basement compartment of the parental apartment, which were intended for the manufacture of a pipe bomb, indicate this.

The then 14-year-old was arrested at his residence in Währing on February 10. The trail of the IS-teen, who according to the indictment was ready for violence and attacks, was discovered due to a tip-off from the German Federal Criminal Police Office. The German investigators had discovered a concerning TikTok profile with radical Islamist content. This profile could be attributed to the accused. Subsequently, the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN) was informed, which continued the investigation and, with the help of the Vienna State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE) and WEGA forces, took the boy out of circulation.

Incriminating Evidence Secured During House Search

The slight, almost childlike teenager lived with his parents until his arrest and was planning to start an apprenticeship in the fall. Both parents - who have Turkish roots - are said to have a liberal social attitude and do not practice a strict interpretation of Islam. During a court-approved house search, several knives and propaganda material were found in the defendant's room and in the basement compartment, which evidenced the boy's allegiance to IS. Drawings made by the suspect of the U6 station at Westbahnhof were also secured. Depicted were trains, tracks, and stick figures, with one of the figures stabbing others with a knife or machete. The victims are labeled with the word "Kuffar" ("infidels"), a term used in Islam for people who belong to other religions or do not adhere to Islam.

The 15-year-old is specifically accused of preparing a terrorist offense - namely a crime involving explosives - under § 278c of the Criminal Code, terrorist association, attempted training for terrorist purposes, instruction to commit a terrorist offense, and the crime of a criminal organization. He is said to have confessed to the terror allegations after being admitted to the Josefstadt prison.

According to Indictment, Threatened to "Slaughter" Class Teacher in Prison

However, the court will also address an assault and a dangerous threat. The 15-year-old is alleged to have had a physical altercation with a fellow inmate on May 23, injuring him in the process. After the dispute, he reportedly told the fellow inmate that he would "slaughter" the class teacher after his release.

(APA/Red)

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