From Wednesday to Thursday night, a Vienna court sentenced two accomplices to life in prison for the mastermind of a jihadist attack in the Austrian capital in 2020, who was shot dead by police on the evening of the attack. Four other men who appeared at the trial received prison sentences of varying lengths.
On November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old man killed four bystanders and injured 23 others in central Vienna, spreading panic in this normally very safe country.
Before taking action, the Austrian had posted a message pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group, which has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two years later, four Austrians, a Kosovar and a Chechen, now between 22 and 32 years old, found themselves in the dock.
Attacker support
After a months-long trial and a dozen hours of jury deliberation, the verdict came late at night.
Two of them were charged with “aiding and abetting crimes”. An AFP journalist noted that they were indifferent to the report of the verdict.
It is alleged that he actively supported and encouraged the assailant in his disaster plan, either by providing him with logistical support or by preparing arms and ammunition.
Four other punishments
Two others were convicted of the same crimes but received lighter sentences (19 to 20 years in prison) because one was under 21 at the time of the attack and the other partially admitted his responsibility.
Ultimately, the latter two were acquitted of the main charges. But they were sentenced to two years, including eight months, for belonging to the IS group.
Sneak attack
During the debate, held under high security, the prosecution unleashed a “horrendous” attack on “our values and democracy”.
All six have denied responsibility for the attack and, according to the defense, tried to distance themselves from the shooter, whom they did not know.
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