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Two days after the Islamist attack in Vienna, investigators are looking for possible sponsors. Questions remain as to how the killer was able to equip himself. Chancellor Kurz calls on the EU to act against political Islam.
After the terrorist attack in Vienna, investigators are looking into the question of whether the IS sympathizer acted alone. “The information that it is a single perpetrator is condensed considerably. However, we have taken enormous security measures in public space,” the head of the highest police authority, Franz Ruf, told the ORF station.
However, the authorities do not want to finally exclude other parties involved and initially continue to evaluate extensive image material.
IS speaks of “soldier of the caliphate”
At the event, Monday night, a 20-year-old Austrian with roots in northern Macedonia walked through a nightlife district near Vienna’s main synagogue with an assault rifle, pistol, machete and fake. explosive belt.
According to witnesses, he fired indiscriminately in crowded places. Four people were killed in the attack, including a German. At least 22 other people were injured. After a few minutes, the police shot the attacker. The terrorist militia “Islamic State” (IS) announced that a “soldier of the caliphate” had carried out the attack.
Arrests abroad
14 people around the perpetrator were provisionally detained in the hours after the attack and 18 apartments were searched. The Interior Ministry announced that a search of the attacker’s house revealed the addresses.
Police were also active in neighboring Switzerland. After consulting with the Austrian authorities, a special unit arrested two men in Winterthur. The 18 and 24-year-olds may have had contact with the Vienna attacker. No further details were released.
Released early from prison
The authorities are concerned about new actions. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said it is in a “sensitive phase” in which it must ensure that there are no copycat acts. Security authorities must also wonder why people with dual northern Austro-Macedonian nationality were able to carry out the attack.
In reality, the man was sentenced to 22 months in prison for wanting to join the “Islamic State”. Instead of July, he was released in early December 2019. This was possible because the man had participated in a de-radicalization program. “The terrorist managed to deceive the judiciary,” Interior Minister Nehammer said.
Buying ammunition in Slovakia
It is not yet clear where the killer got his weapons from. However, there are specific references to ammunition. In the summer, the 20-year-old traveled to Slovakia to buy ammunition there.
This was confirmed by two sources in the research network. Ed, WDR Y “SZApparently the Austrian security authorities knew this, but it is unclear why nothing was subsequently done.
“End of misunderstood tolerance”
Austria’s Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for the EU to be more committed to political Islam, which endangers freedom and the European way of life. “I look forward to the end of misunderstood tolerance,” he told “Die Welt” newspaper. The ideology of political Islam endangers freedom and the European way of life.
