Alleged perpetrators free

Tumult before questioning of abuse victim

There was a lot of commotion in front of room 25 in Vienna's provincial court during the questioning of 13-year-old Anna (name changed) on Friday. And there was also the first scandal. Because media representatives were present and there was concern that photos would be taken, a mother shouted - eloquently supported by two of the accused: "Leave, otherwise we'll call the police." In the meantime, all the alleged tormentors have been released.

More and more young boys, together with their parents and lawyers, fill the waiting area in front of the courtroom. The teenagers are the accused who are facing charges of having sexually abused a then twelve-year-old girl in Vienna-Favoriten. The "Krone" reported in detail on the depressing case.

Girl with psychologist in adjoining room
After the scandal, the twelve young people, most of whom were wearing jeans, sneakers and black jackets, were asked to come into the room. They take a seat on the bench that is normally reserved for defendants during trials. The defense lawyers sit behind them, while mothers and fathers are allowed to follow the proceedings in the audience area of the courtroom - siblings, aunts or other listeners are not permitted. The public prosecutor and a judge are also present. They all see the now 13-year-old via video transmission.

Extremely high emotional stress
The girl sits in court in a black T-shirt and slicked-back hair in another courtroom together with a clinical health psychologist. The expert asks the victim questions about the incidents, which are relayed to her by telephone from room 25. The first attempt at such an adversarial interrogation had to be interrupted after a few questions because the girl burst into tears. There will also have to be breaks on Friday because the emotional strain on the 13-year-old is enormous: "It is very stressful for her to talk about the terrible incidents again," says her lawyer Sascha Flatz. "After the interview, the Vienna public prosecutor's office will decide whether and if so, what charges to bring against the perpetrators."

During the four-hour interrogation, Anna said that the door had been locked during the assaults and that she had said no several times. She also stated that she had been detained. However, the youths denied this.

All accused released
After the contradictory questioning on Friday, the youth who had resisted the authorities during a house search was released from custody. This means that all the accused in this case are now free again.