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On November 2, a murderer in Vienna killed three people near a synagogue and injured 23 others, some seriously. Austria now wants to better protect the churches and monitor them more closely. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer announced this on Thursday.
The minister referred to the new findings of the investigation: “It cannot be ruled out that the perpetrator also deliberately wanted to search for victims in the churches,” Nehammer said. They are currently in a “sensitive phase” after the attack, because there could be acts of imitation.
From now on, the police forces will show more presence in front of churches and other places of worship. “We will make sure that the objects and places mentioned are dressed in civilian clothes, uniformed, open and covert and also covered with the counter-terrorism component of Task Force Cobra,” said Director General of Public Security Franz Ruf.
Austria has been in a difficult second lockdown for ten days. All shops not needed for basic services have been closed, schools have been switched to distance education, and a curfew has been imposed. Churches across the country remained open, but services were temporarily suspended. The lock is currently valid until December 6.
In the attack in central Vienna near a synagogue in early November, four people and the attacker, an ISIS supporter, were killed. 23 people were injured, some seriously. The attacker was shot and killed by police after shooting at passersby and bars. Austria arrested ten people. Details, such as how the attack occurred, are not yet known. The authorities have admitted errors in handling information from abroad.
