Not legally binding

Terror plans at the main station: charges against boy

The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against the 17-year-old who wanted to carry out a terrorist attack at Vienna Central Station last September.

According to the authorities, the extensive investigations and interrogations of the accused revealed that the teenager acted out of conviction and in accordance with the aims of the terrorist organization Islamic State. The indictment therefore relates to the accusation of a terrorist organization.

Courage abandoned
The young man had lost his courage after arriving at the station, which is why he did not carry out the planned attack with a combat knife after all. The young man's statements in this regard were consistent with the other evidence, writes the public prosecutor's office. The preliminary proceedings on suspicion of a terrorist offense were therefore dropped for legal reasons. The man was arrested the day after the planned attack.

IS propaganda videos and photos
However, the 17-year-old is accused of having repeatedly published, among other things, photos of himself with symbols of the terrorist organization IS and videos glorifying violence in chats and chat groups, in which in at least one case instructions for the production of explosives and for carrying out attacks were also shared, thereby committing the crime of terrorist association and the crime of criminal organization.

The penalty is up to five years' imprisonment, taking into account the age of the accused. The indictment is not yet final and the defendant has the right to appeal to the court within 14 days of being served with the indictment.