Determine Austrian authorities: Bomb threats from Switzerland

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After a series of bomb threats in Austria, the St. Gallen public prosecutor initiates a procedure against a suspect 20-year-old. Investigations run parallel to Austria.
After a series of bomb threats in Austria, the St. Gallen public prosecutor initiates a procedure against a suspect 20-year-old. Investigations run parallel to Austria. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

After a series shook Austria on anonymous bomb threats, the St. Gallen public prosecutor's office in Switzerland has initiated a trial against a 20-year-old Swiss suspect. The man was arrested in Switzerland in mid -October this year, but quickly released. The investigation is in close contact between the Austrian and Swiss authorities.

The problem began on September 30th, when a total of 27 bomb threats were reported in Austria, which were transmitted by emails. Capacities such as train stations, schools and shopping centers were badly affected. In Vorarlberg there were threats against the Bregenzer and Feldkirch train station, which resulted in considerable police operations and evacuations.

Investigations and evaluation of the evidence

parallel to the activities in Switzerland, the investigation continues in Austria, as the spokeswoman for the public prosecutor Linz, Ulrike Breiteneder, confirmed. These procedures are connected in such a way that the efficiency of the examinations is increased when the official measures are continued from both countries. In this context, the Graz public prosecutor asked for the criminal prosecution to Switzerland in October. The seized evidence includes electronic devices whose analysis also takes place in Switzerland.

Despite the close cooperation, the Swiss authorities cannot deliver the suspect to Austria because he is Swiss citizens and does not voluntarily agree. This makes the legal framework more complicated, especially since the Austrian procedure cannot be set due to the ongoing investigation. According to Breiteneder, this could lead to the procedure in Linz continued, while the Swiss public prosecutor is also investigating.

The situation remains tense, while the authorities continue to work on the investigation of the threats. The evaluation of the ensured electronic devices is in full swing, and the results of this are shared with the Linz public prosecutor after the legal assistance procedure has been completed in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the incidents. It remains to be seen what further knowledge the investigation will promote, as reported .