Bomb maker in Graz: Trial for 35 murder attempt started!

Bomb maker in Graz: Trial for 35 murder attempt started!

A 56-year-old IT technician has been standing before the Graz Regional Criminal Court since April 28, 2025. He is being investigated for 35 counts of attempted murder and terrorist offenses. The defendant is said to have planted bombs with members of Jehovah's Witnesses over a period of several months, with his ex-wife being the main target. This is reported by vol.at.

The defendant appeared in court on Monday, where the trial attracted a lot of media attention, especially since the explosive devices have been causing a stir since the summer of 2023. The first bombs were attached to two vehicles in Leibnitz on August 18, 2023 and detonated without causing any injuries. During his interrogation, the defendant confessed that he wanted to kill his ex-wife, while his defense attorney tried to portray the intentions as non-terrorist and argued that the prosecution was portraying the defendant as a “second Franz Fuchs.”

Bombings and their consequences

The indictment covers several incidents. On March 29, 2024, the defendant placed another bomb with around five kilograms of explosives at the entrance to the Kingdom Hall in Kalsdorf. Another time, on May 3, a car belonging to members of Jehovah's Witnesses was attacked when a pipe bomb detonated, but without causing any injuries. A second bomb on his ex-wife's car failed to detonate for unknown reasons. It is also reported that the detonations were potentially life-threatening, although no one was ultimately injured, as noen.at states.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant was identified by a fingerprint on one of the bombs, which led to his arrest. The psychiatrist who examined the defendant classified him as sane. The indictment envisages the possible admission of the defendant to a forensic therapeutic center, which plays a role in the discussion about the responsibility and psychological state of the perpetrator.

Mental health and violence

The discussion about the psychological background of acts of violence is expanded by the findings of experts such as Professor Henning Saß, who point out that not all acts of violence are linked to mental illness. According to Deutschlandfunk, outbreaks of violence are a complex phenomenon that is influenced by various factors. Reasons for radical actions may include, but are not limited to, life crises, financial difficulties, and interpersonal problems.

The defendant attributed his actions to a troubled marriage, financial hardship and health problems. Even though mental illnesses can disrupt the regulation of aggressive impulses, they are not the sole explanation for radical acts. Radicalization can affect people of any psychological status, often as a result of a weariness with complex life situations, which facilitates access to terrorist ideologies.

The trial will continue on April 30 and a verdict could come that evening. Media interest will continue to be high as society teaches to understand more about violence, radicalization and acts of terrorism in order to prevent future acts.