Chaos at the farmers' market

Gawkers once again obstruct large-scale operation in Favoriten

After numerous onlookers obstructed the work of the police on Friday evening during an operation around Reumannplatz in Vienna-Favoriten, there was another commotion on Saturday at a market in Leibnitzgasse: Two men were attacked with a metal bar. But instead of clearing the way for the emergency services, several rubberneckers once again prevented the arrests.

It was during their patrol duty when officers from the Favoriten municipal police station noticed a scuffle at the market in Leibnitzgasse at around 1.40 pm. Suddenly, a 19-year-old Syrian and a 21-year-old Austrian allegedly grabbed a metal bar and attacked two men (30 and 44 years old) with it. 

Onlookers prevented arrest
The emergency services immediately wanted to arrest the two suspects. However, this was no easy task due to several onlookers: The police officers' work was partially obstructed and people kept trying to get to the suspects. Nevertheless, the two men were arrested by the police - but a metal rod could not be found. 

Dispute over debts escalated
The 44-year-old was slightly injured by the attack and had to be treated by paramedics and taken to hospital. The injured man also accused the suspects of damaging his scales. "The two detainees did not confess to the charges and stated that all parties involved had attacked each other in the course of a dispute over financial debts," the police announced on Sunday. The two suspects have been charged.

Emergency services already obstructed on Friday
In less than 24 hours, onlookers in Favoriten made it difficult to make two arrests in attacks near Reumannplatz. There had also been an argument between four men there on Friday evening. Two of them were seriously injured, having been stabbed with a knife. According to the police, passers-by tried to prevent both arrests and the provision of first aid.