Both defendants were tried this year on terror charges and were also legally convicted. Just two days after the trial, the two (17, 18) allegedly shot an MA48 employee with an air rifle at a window in the 10th district. Now they have to appear in court again.
The last time the two defendants were in court in Vienna was just six months ago. The accusation then was the same: terrorist group and criminal organization. They are said to have possessed and distributed IS propaganda material.
Both are convicted IS supporters
“A prison sentence did not stop them,” the public prosecutor describes the young people as incorrigible. In May 2023, the now 18-year-old received a partial sentence of 18 months, of which six months in prison, and in January 2023 the 17-year-old was sentenced to a suspended sentence of 14 months and seven months unconditionally. .
Nevertheless, the Bosnian and the Viennese – who had previously purchased air rifles in the Czech Republic – are said to have fired the weapons from the window of the first defendant’s apartment in Vienna-Favoriten – two days after the older man was convicted. They hit an employee of MA48 and fortunately was only slightly injured. The indictment therefore concerns attempted serious bodily harm, after all, more could have happened and punishable offenses under the Weapons Act.
According to the report, the 17-year-old is dangerous
Lawyer Anna Mair represents the 17-year-old convicted IS supporter. The Public Prosecution Service also requests that its client be placed in a forensic therapeutic center – according to the expert, he is dangerous. “The report shows that he is someone who gets carried away in something like this. During the Corona lockdown he became increasingly radical. But there isn’t really much knowledge about Islam.”
At the Vienna Regional Court they now both claim that they have completely turned away from the terrorist organization and its ideas. “I regret the things I did. I am not for ISIS. Then I no longer knew what was right and what was wrong. “I was confused” – now the 18-year-old has a daughter and no longer has anything to do with Islamic State.
On the air gun accusation: “We just wanted to play with it. “I didn’t shoot that day.” The client of Andreas Schweitzer and Sebastian Lesigang sent a message to his girlfriend shortly after the shots and also confessed in a video: “We just shot people.” – before denying it to the judge.
Fascination with weapons
Because only the younger one would have done that. In court he admits that he is fully guilty, but does not want to provide any further information. Only when asked by a female lay judge whether he had a fascination with guns did he say: “Yes, absolutely.” Knives were also found at his home, one of which he took to school. A reprimand followed.
The process takes two days. A ruling is expected on Tuesday. Until then, witnesses are questioned and experts have their say. In particular, the psychiatric report of the 17-year-old is discussed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
