Suspicious Islamist attacker stands out in Austria
Suspicious Islamist attacker stands out in Austria
Villach, Austria-a Syrian asylum seeker who is suspected, on Saturday a Messer attack committed in the Austrian city of Villach should be supporters of the Islamic State (IS) and was radicalized online, the authorities said on Sunday.
A 14-year-old boy was killed in the attack, and five other people were injured, the police reported at a press conference.
radicalization and arrest
The Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said that the 23-year-old Syrian, who was arrested shortly after the attack, quickly radicalized himself on the Internet. The flag of the Islamic state was found in his apartment. The authorities stated that the man swore a loyalty to IS.
connection with previous incidents
The act of violence in Villach occurred after the failed attempt in August to carry out a suicide attack by a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna from a young person who also sworn the loyalty.
The incident on Saturday followed just a few days after an attack on Thursday in Munich, in which an Afghan citizen steered his car into a crowd and injured dozens of people, two of whom died later.
political tensions in Austria
The incidents happen at a time of political tensions in Austria, where the right -wing extremist Freedom Party (FPO) - which had won the parliamentary election in September - explained last week that it was unable to form a coalition government.
The centrist parties are now discussing whether they could try to form a government while the President is considering options, including the possibility of new elections.
reactions of the Freedom Party
The FPO quickly commented on the attack in Villach and focused on illegal immigration. The party plans to increase deportations to countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, which is currently illegal. FPO boss Herbert Kickl said in a message on social media: "No migrant could commit murders or other crimes in our country if he was not initially in Austria."