After the rape of a 16-year-old on Wednesday evening in the Linz station area, the three suspects were transferred to Linz prison on Friday night. One is silent about the allegations, the other claims that there were “consensual” sexual acts. According to the prosecutor’s office, the boys who are already known to the authorities for “minor offenses” are heavily burdened by the victim. The SPÖ was “speechless and deeply affected”, the Greens condemned the “disgusting act” and called for “harsh penalties with no ifs and buts”.
Four young people are said to have attacked the 16-year-old German near Linz main station. Agents of the Aliens Police noticed and intervened. The perpetrators fled. Moments later, three boys – two 15-year-old Afghans and a 14-year-old Iranian – were arrested. A fourth suspect is still on the run. The police have suspicions about his identity, but are keeping a low profile for the time being.
Suspects all officially known
The three arrested were taken to prison on Friday evening. The public prosecutor’s office in Linz has applied for guardianship for them and the court has to decide on Friday or Saturday. With young people it is a bit more complicated, you need people you trust and interpreters, says public prosecutor Ulrike Breiteneder. All three are innocent, but already known to the police – because of “minor crimes”, it said.
One of the boys is exercising his right to refuse to testify, Breiteneder said, while the other two allege consensual sexual acts were involved. But the boys would clearly be burdened by the victim. One is “far from the attempt”, but it involves “repeated, completed acts of various perpetrators,” she clarified. It is still unclear how the crime originated or whether the perpetrators knew the victim.
Up to seven and a half years in prison
If convicted of rape, the sentences can be up to five years for juveniles, if the act results in serious bodily harm – for example in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder – up to seven and a half years. For adults, the penalty is twice as high.
“Stopless and deeply affected”
Upper Austrian SPÖ security spokeswoman Sabine Engleitner-Neu was “speechless and deeply affected”. She seized the act as an opportunity to demand preventive measures: “Who are the perpetrators? Were there warning signs? How can such crimes be prevented in the future? – These questions require quick answers,” says Engleitner-Neu. There are more financial resources needed for measures against violence.
Greens women’s spokeswoman in the state parliament, Dagmar Engl, warned against the political exploitation of “this heinous act”. “The perpetrators must be severely punished, without ifs or buts. This law also comes at the expense of integration efforts. It harms all those who have fled crisis countries who behave properly and in accordance with the law.” Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ) had already made it clear on Thursday that he was not prepared to keep or “feed” these dangerous people here. them through” at the expense of the taxpayer.
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.
