Terror Threat Against Vienna Westbahnhof: Trial Against Teenager

In the courtroom, a ban on photography and filming is in place, and forces from the Justice Guard Task Force (JEG) are assigned to the trial.

Despite his appearance - the teenager is said to still have almost childlike features - the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office portrays the accused as a dangerous and violence-prone IS fanatic. The student has been in pre-trial detention since mid-February due to the risk of committing an offense. He is said to have been intensively involved with IS since August 2024 and to have radicalized by obtaining and distributing corresponding propaganda material. From autumn, he began to take an interest in explosives and explosive devices - according to the indictment, he found construction plans on the internet and saved them on data carriers. Through Telegram channels, the then 14-year-old searched for online tutorials to learn more about the production of explosive substances. As the evaluation of his mobile phone revealed, the student is likely to have consumed such videos as well.

According to the Indictment, Attack Assured for Summer 2025 in February

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 stabbing weapons in Vienna in the summer of 2025. The attack plans were reportedly directed against "infidels and police officers," and a hostage-taking was apparently also considered.

Aside from that, 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 indicate this, which were intended for the manufacture of a pipe bomb.

The then 14-year-old was arrested on February 10 at his residence in Vienna-Währing. The trail of the IS supporter, who was reportedly ready to attack, 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 Service (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 forces of the WEGA, took the boy out of circulation.

Incriminating Evidence Secured During House Search

The slight teenager lived with his parents until his arrest and planned to start an apprenticeship in the fall. During a court-approved house search, several knives and IS propaganda material were found in the defendant's room and in the basement compartment. Drawings made by the suspect of the U6 station at Westbahnhof were also secured. The drawings depicted trains, tracks, and stick figures, with one figure stabbing others with a knife or machete. The victims were 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 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. After being admitted to JA Josefstadt, he reportedly confessed to the terror allegations. His defense attorney declined to comment on the case before the main trial when asked by APA.

Allegedly Threatened with "Slaughter" in Prison

The court will also address an assault and a dangerous threat. The 15-year-old allegedly had a physical altercation with a fellow inmate on May 23, injuring him. Furthermore, he is said to have stated that he would "slaughter" the class teacher after his release.

(APA/Red)

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