"Nothing Happens to Us": Vienna Youth Gang Boasts About Rape, Extortion, and Drug Trafficking

As reported by ORF, six teenagers were arrested at the end of February, with another suspect now added. Five of the suspects are in pre-trial detention.

The investigations focus on serious allegations such as extortion, rape, and arson. The age group of the suspects ranges from 14 to 17 years, many of whom already have criminal records and are apparently involved in the drug scene. Additionally, several of the suspects have a migration or refugee background.

Rape, Extortion, Theft: Victim of Youth Gang Describes Ordeal

The investigation began with an arson incident, but the statements of an affected woman led to shocking revelations. She reported a long ordeal that has been ongoing for a year and is directly linked to the teenagers.

In her interrogation, the woman stated that she once had consensual sex with one of the teenagers. However, this trust was exploited when the teenager showed pictures of it within his group and threatened to reveal her secret. Fearing the loss of her job, she further fell into the clutches of the gang.

Woman Also Had to Procure Drugs for Teenagers

However, the woman ultimately lost her job. The threats against her escalated in the form of psychological pressure, thefts, and coercion to purchase drugs worth several hundred euros for the gang.

The woman repeatedly allowed members of the gang into her apartment and paid them for food, drinks, and taxi rides, as she stated. Particularly alarming is that a suspect photographed her ATM card and allegedly made illegal expenditures with it.

According to documents available to the press, the woman also claimed to have been raped by three of the teenagers. It cannot be ruled out that drugs were administered to her without her knowledge.

Suspects Boasted About Criminal Schemes

The youths are said to have deliberately portrayed themselves as a gang and boasted about further criminal activities, including burglaries in villas to steal designer clothes and willful damage to vehicles. The arrogance with which they spoke about possible consequences is astonishing: "Yes, but nothing happens to us," one of the suspects is said to have remarked. Another even claimed to have already been in prison.

According to reports, one suspect even admitted to dealing drugs. During a raid at the end of February, authorities reportedly found both drugs and a knife. The suspects hid drugs in their underwear and apparently sold cannabis and ecstasy – which they referred to as "business."

Police Consider Victim's Statements Credible

The effects of drug use seem to be severe: one of the suspects claimed the woman "went crazy after consuming the drugs." While another admitted to photographing her ATM card and described the sexual intercourse as "voluntary," the other gang members largely remained silent. The police classify the statement of the alleged victim as "credible."

Four Suspects Were Already Clients of Child and Youth Services

Four of the five accused are known to the Vienna Magistrate's Department (MA) 11, responsible for child and youth services. They have worked with them in "various outpatient settings: from parenting advice to psychotherapy, counseling on economic matters, outpatient family support with social educators, as well as anti-violence training," said MA 11 spokeswoman Ingrid Pöschmann in response to an APA inquiry - not all of this with all youths equally, but depending on the situation. According to APA information, two of the youths have already been assigned a probation officer.

The youths suspected in this case are "exactly those who do not accept our offers. Of course, we cannot foresee and prevent every dangerous situation," emphasized the spokeswoman. "We became active, among other things, after danger reports due to neglect, violence in the family, or because the children themselves became violent," Pöschmann explained the circumstances. In 2023, there were around 4,500 parenting supports following danger reports, and the figures for 2024 are currently being compiled.

(Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.