Major terror raid

Decisions on pre-trial detention “by Tuesday at the latest”

Following the major raid in Vienna, Graz and Linz against suspected jihadists on Friday, a decision must be made "by Tuesday at the latest" as to whether the 13 people arrested will be remanded in custody. So far, none of the suspects have been arrested.

The time limit is due to the fact that the suspects must be taken to a prison within 48 hours of their arrest and then a decision must be made within 48 hours of being taken into custody, said Hansjörg Bacher, spokesman for the public prosecutor's office in Graz, on Sunday.

The competent court is the Regional Court for Criminal Matters in Graz. This also applies to those arrested in Vienna - including the alleged main perpetrator Mirsad O.. Interrogation by video conference would be possible.

Suspicion of membership of terrorist organizations
As part of the large-scale operation in Vienna, Graz and Linz, numerous residential premises and vehicles were searched on Friday. According to the Graz public prosecutor's office, which was in charge of the police operation, terrorist propaganda material, electronic data carriers, cash and a knuckleduster were confiscated.

The investigation is based on suspicion of membership of terrorist organizations "in connection with the recruitment of young people for the Syrian civil war". A total of around 900 officers are said to have been involved in the police operation.