(Adnkronos) – A few days after the Villach attack, police and the Internal Intelligence Service foiled another terrorist attack, planned, according to media reports, by a 14-year-old and directed against Vienna’s Westbahnhof railway station. The “Kurier” reports – citing the Austrian Interior Ministry – that the teenager was arrested on February 10 in Vienna’s Waehring district. He was found in possession of two knives and other material indicating his support for ISIS.
The parallels with the Villach attack are shocking: the teenager is an Austrian citizen of Turkish origin. According to the Ministry, he became radicalized – like the Villach attacker – on the Internet.
“This success of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution shows the importance of an effective fight against terrorism,” said Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, head of the State Security and Intelligence Directorate. “However, the investigative methods of the security authorities must be constantly adapted to advancing digitalization to ensure efficient work.”
Last Saturday, a 23-year-old Syrian man stabbed passers-by indiscriminately with a ten-centimeter knife in the center of Villach. The next day it became clear that it was an Islamist attack. The Syrian had become radicalized on TikTok, had posted IS flags in his room and, at the time of his arrest.
The man attacked five Austrian citizens of different ages (14, 15, 15, 28, 32) and a Turkish citizen (36). The 14-year-old died from his injuries. Three victims are in intensive care, one recovered victim is in the ward. One injured person was treated on an outpatient basis.
