TikToker Approved Graz Rampage: 14 Months in Prison

The influencer with millions of followers had endorsed the rampage at the Graz BORG Dreierschützengasse in two videos, likely out of anger at the authorities. Judge Claudia Bandion-Ortner also ordered participation in a "Dialogue instead of Hate" program. The verdict is final.

Specifically, the man, who has been in Austria since 2015 and has had asylum status for three years, likely had issues with a desired name change, and on another occasion, he was upset because he was denied a visit from his brother. In a video recorded in Graz, as prosecutor Markus Kitz explained, the defendant expressed his anger and then told his Iraqi followers worldwide that this was the federal state where the rampage took place and said: "This heals my pain." In the second video, he called the rampage "strong" and said "I want to see more." During the police interrogation, he then said he didn't care that many people had died. He was happy when something like that happened because everyone was against him and his brother.

Video Viewed More Than 162,000 Times

The defendant explained in court via an interpreter that he did not know that his statements in the videos violated criminal law. "I'm sorry I did that." One of the videos was viewed more than 162,000 times, received almost 6,300 "likes," and was commented on more than 400 times. In truth, he did not approve of what happened at the school, the 55-year-old told the judge.

"Your mindset is very crude," said the prosecutor at the end of the trial to the defendant. He did not believe the remorseful admission. "You are all about getting as many followers as possible, you don't care about the consequences!" Defense attorney Philipp Tschernitz vehemently opposed this. His client faced obstacles everywhere - with the recognition of his driver's license, with the name change, he had not been allowed to see his brother for six years. In the asylum process, he was not believed, "until there was an attempted murder on him." (Note: In 2023, a compatriot was found guilty in the first instance of intentionally causing serious bodily harm after a religiously motivated knife attack on the 55-year-old.) Glorifying acts of violence is not his client's way, said Tschernitz.

TikToker Endorsed Graz Rampage: Confession Not "From the Heart"

"There is a certain confession, even if it didn't really come from the heart," said Judge Bandion-Ortner in the reasoning of the verdict. There is a relevant prior conviction, a dangerous threat against an officer. Addressing the defendant, she justified the strict sentence: "The attack in Graz hit Austria very hard, many young people lost their lives. To somehow endorse that is really very reprehensible. You have a great responsibility with millions of followers. This can influence people and lead them to consider such attacks. The internet is not a lawless space!" The prosecutor and defense attorney waived legal remedies.

(APA/Red)

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