Murder Plot in Clan Circles Uncovered in Vienna
The plot of the murder scheme seems like something out of a Hollywood movie: members of the Kavac clan were to be eliminated by an explosive device and Colombian contract killers. However, unforeseen coincidences thwarted the suspects' plans.
Murder Plot in the Clan Sphere: Trial in Vienna
A trial against one of the participants is taking place on Tuesday at the Vienna Regional Court. The man must answer to a jury for attempted instigation or involvement in murder. He is alleged to have been involved in the planning of the crime, participated in surveillance, and passed on the appearance and clothing of the two targets to the hired killers. According to the indictment, the murder attempt failed due to inaccurate information regarding the location of the targets, lack of or delayed communication, and other circumstances. Millions of chat messages encrypted by crypto-messaging services from the realm of organized crime fell into the hands of Austrian investigators in April 2021 as part of "Operation Achilles." During this, officers from the Federal Criminal Office also found clues to a planned alleged double murder in the federal capital, it was stated on Monday during a background discussion.
Planned Murder Plot as Revenge for Killing in Front of Vienna Schnitzel Restaurant
Regarding the background: Two men belonging to the Kavač clan, a now 57-year-old Serb and a 56-year-old Montenegrin, were chosen as victims at the end of 2019 in revenge for the killing of a Serb in front of the Vienna schnitzel temple Figlmüller in 2018, it was stated on Monday during a background discussion at the Federal Criminal Office. "The decision was made: 'Something must be done,'" said Daniel Lichtenegger, head of the Office for Drug Crime at the Federal Criminal Office, providing insight. "On the one hand through a bomb attack, and if that doesn't work, through Colombian contract killers in Vienna," Lichtenegger outlined. The Kavač clan has had a deep-seated enmity with the Skaljaris since the disappearance of a 200-kilogram drug shipment in Spain in 2014. Their members are scattered across Europe. The conflicts have already claimed 80 lives across Europe. Both clans originate from the respective namesake locations in the vicinity of the Montenegrin city of Kotor.
Murder Plot Failed Because Ignition Failed
According to investigators, a total of eleven members of the Skaljaris were involved in the planning. Among them was a 29-year-old Montenegrin who is due to stand trial at the Vienna Regional Court tomorrow for attempted murder and incitement to attempted murder, as he is alleged to have observed the two victims and smuggled the two killers into Austria. The suspects were working on an explosive device initially intended for the Serb. "But the person responsible was apparently not a great bomb maker and had to chat with a man from the Western Balkans who wrote him the instructions," said the lead investigator. As a result, on February 22, 2020, the day of the crime, the initial ignition failed, and the 57-year-old was able to leave his premises in Vienna-Ottakring unharmed and get into his car. A coincidence that, according to Dieter Csefan, head of the Office for Organized Crime, prevented something worse: "It would have been a catastrophe if the ignition had occurred. It would probably have torn half of Koppstraße apart," said Csefan, referring to comparative tests on the explosive.
Mastermind of Murder Plot in Clan Circles Dead
Due to the failed first attempt, the alternative plan was finally resorted to, according to Lichtenegger. Only 17 days later, the 29-year-old suspect located the 57-year-old for the Colombians in his premises. "There was only one problem: the Colombians did not speak Serbo-Croatian," said Lichtenegger. "So they needed another interpreter who was in Ecuador." As a result of the communication problems, the act was again not carried out. In the weeks that followed, the involved individuals returned to Montenegro. The two masterminds of the plot were kidnapped, tortured, and shot in Turkey and Montenegro in October and November 2020, respectively.
The 29-year-old has been in custody in Austria since his arrest at the border with Bosnia on April 15, 2024. According to Interpol, one of the two Colombians died of pesticide poisoning in Colombia in August 2023. The operational leader of the plot was also arrested in February 2024 in the Montenegrin city of Bar, and an Austrian arrest warrant is pending against him. Federal Criminal Police Office Chief Andreas Holzer on Monday once again called for more opportunities for the police to monitor messenger services in light of the investigative success. Not only the state protection needs appropriate opportunities "but also the criminal police," said Holzer at the media event. The investigation results within the framework of "Operation Achilles" made this particularly clear. However, Austria remains "a Gallic village without magic potion" in international comparison, said Holzer.
(APA/Red)
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