The escape of a suspected IS supporter from a hospital in Vienna is now becoming a political issue. The FPÖ accuses Justice Minister Alma Zadic of not having control over the prisons. The party also criticizes the ÖVP for “bearing exclusive responsibility” for an “extreme immigration policy.”
As reported, a 19-year-old prisoner was transferred from the Wiener Neustadt prison to the one in Vienna-Josefstadt due to illness, as it has its own medical department. The terror suspect took advantage of his appointment at the Barmfühle Brüder hospital in Vienna on Friday morning to escape the judicial guard. A day later he was arrested again and taken back to prison.
Had any escape aids?
It is currently being determined whether the prisoner had escape aids. “Potential participation in the escape by escape helpers cannot yet be ruled out (…),” said the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN). It initially remained unclear whether there was any danger to the population during the escape. The Vienna State Police has referred the case to the Ministry of Justice.
Criticism of this now came from the FPÖ. “The green hug law under Minister Zadic must now come to an end quickly before something bad happens. Because this minister simply cannot control the prisons, she must resign,” FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz said in a broadcast.
Series in November
In fact, this is not an isolated case. Last November there were a few escape attempts while accompanying people to medical appointments. In four out of five cases, the escapees were rearrested, but a 35-year-old inmate at Stein prison remains at large. The Ministry of Justice responded with raids and increased security measures.
“This worrying series of accidents is now becoming extremely dangerous. Not only can Islamists in prisons communicate unhindered by telephone and organize their terrorist activities, it is also more than easy for them to escape,” Schnedlitz said. The prisons are “overcrowded” and the prison guards are “very overloaded”. Another point of criticism concerns the safety orders that have been withdrawn. Last fall, the General Directorate of Prisons issued instructions for prisoners to tie their arms behind their bodies during medical escorts.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
