Triple murder in Vienna

Suspect in triple murder “confesses”

After the triple murder in a Viennese erotic studio, the suspect (small picture) has "basically confessed".(Bild: zVg, Peter Tomschi, Krone KREATIV)

In the case of the three prostitutes killed in an erotic studio in Vienna-Brigittenau, the arrested suspect has "basically confessed" according to initial statements following his interrogation on Saturday afternoon, the investigators announced on Sunday. Meanwhile, Austria's Minister for Women Susanne Raab (ÖVP) has also expressed her shock at the femicides.

On Friday evening, three women were stabbed by the attacker in the establishment. All of the victims could only be confirmed dead. The prime suspect, an Afghan asylum seeker, was arrested near the scene of the crime.

Knife purchased specifically for the bloody deed
The first interrogations have now been carried out. The Afghan himself was questioned on Saturday afternoon. According to initial information, he is said to be "basically confessing".

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The 27-year-old probably bought the knife used in the crime specifically for the attack on the women. If this proves to be the case, it would indicate that the crime was planned. However, there have been no indications of any kind of relationship with one or more of the victims in the interviews so far.

According to the current state of the investigation, the suspected perpetrator was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the attack. The attack itself apparently only lasted a few minutes, "less than ten", it was said. The suspect is to be transferred to a prison on Sunday evening. Until then, the hours of questioning continued with the help of an interpreter.

Victims presumably Chinese nationals
According to police spokesman Philipp Haßlinger on Sunday, the 27-year-old will be questioned further in order to clarify the motive and background to the devastating knife attack. The victims are most likely Chinese nationals. As far as we know so far, the owner of the studio is likely to be among the dead.

The autopsies of the three victims are scheduled for Sunday.

Women's Affairs Minister Raab "deeply shocked"
"The murders of women in Vienna have shaken me to the core. This level of brutality is unimaginable. The murders and perpetrators have different backgrounds and motives. But one thing is clear: every murder is one too many. Austria now has a well-developed violence protection system, but unfortunately this does not prevent every single case of violence, especially if there were no indications beforehand," explained Raab on Sunday.

Women's Affairs Minister Susannne Raab is shocked.(Bild: APA/Eva Manhart)

"Nevertheless, we must use every opportunity to activate the security systems preventively and stop violence before it happens. To this end, security police case conferences in the federal states have increased more than tenfold since 2020 and the number of violence prevention officers in the police force has doubled. For women and girls affected by violence, the police emergency number 133, the women's helpline on 0800 222 555 and all violence protection centers and women's and girls' counseling centers are available around the clock. The women's shelters in every province have places for women and their children at all times, the expansion of shelters and transitional housing is progressing, as is the establishment of violence outpatient clinics throughout Austria," Raab continued.