Arson Attacks on Cars in Vienna-Donaustadt Out of Desperation: 34-Year-Old Convicted
At the beginning of the year, an arsonist kept the Vienna district of Donaustadt on edge. The unknown perpetrator destroyed twelve cars by smashing the window with an emergency hammer, pouring an accelerant inside, and setting it on fire. The arrest finally took place in March. On Monday, the 34-year-old was convicted of serious property damage.
Suspended Sentence for Arsonist of Vienna-Donaustadt
The sentence of one year on probation is not yet legally binding. While the prosecution waived the right to appeal, the Austrian requested three days to consider. His lawyer initially pleaded for a diversion at the beginning of the trial. Single judge Philipp Krasa did not comply with this "for special and general preventive reasons."
The accused blamed his dismal professional situation for setting the vehicles on fire. He set ten cars on fire, and in the end, twelve cars were severely damaged. The damage amounted to more than 100,000 euros. "Many people have private or professional problems," said the judge. And they also do not set fires. "You did something very destructive," said Krasa. "There must be something more serious behind it." The prosecution did not charge the man with the crime of arson, which carries a significantly higher penalty, but only with the offense of serious property damage.
Defendant Spoke of "Cry for Help and Attention"
The 34-year-old had trained as a molecular biologist at a private university and had already struggled with it. After that, he did not get a job for a year. According to his lawyer, he was "in a state of emergency." The combination of "fear of the future and rejection" caused him sleepless nights with panic attacks, said the defendant. He had also never been in a relationship. "There was nothing in his private life that could have cushioned it," the accused justified his actions.
During his nightly walks, he set the cars on fire. The first vehicle was set on fire on January 31, and the last on March 31, when he was caught red-handed by the police. He was held in pre-trial detention for three months before being released in July after a comprehensive confession. He also showed remorse at today's trial and has already partially compensated for the damage. "It was a cry for help and attention," he said. He did not think "that it would come to such a dimension." His actions were "not well thought out. There was no devilish master plan."
The prison "was definitely a lesson for me," explained the defendant. In the meantime, he has also started psychotherapy. With the verdict, the previously unblemished academic is provided with probation assistance.
(APA/Red)
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