Series of violent acts

Trial: 29-year-old died after being punched

The Somali man (40) already has eleven previous convictions in Austria.(Bild: Sophie Pratschner, Krone KREATIV)

In Vienna's Landl district, a 40-year-old man has to answer to a lay jury for a series of acts of violence. The last one in August 2024 ended fatally at Vienna Westbahnhof: a 29-year-old died of a brain haemorrhage after being punched. However, the defendant shifts the blame in this case.

One act of violence was followed by another in the summer of 2024 - at least according to the indictment against a Somali man in Vienna Regional Court. He punched a victim, then hit him on the head with a glass bottle. "He poured my vodka down the drain," the 40-year-old tries to explain. A few weeks later, he threw the next one on the floor and then kicked the young man.

Crime scene Vienna Westbahnhof
He attacked another victim from behind with a glass bottle at the beginning of July because he didn't want to give him any money. Everything at Vienna Westbahnhof "As you can see, the accused displayed a massive willingness to use violence," the public prosecutor addressed the panel of lay judges.

Defense lawyers Andreas Schweitzer (left) and Sebastian Lesigang(Bild: Sophie Pratschner)

This finally escalated on August 19 - also at Westbahnhof: The man, who already had eleven previous convictions, had punched a 29-year-old. He hit his head on the ground - the victim fell unconscious at the scene and died of a brain haemorrhage in hospital.

However, the Somali man insists that he was not responsible for the fatal assault. His lawyers Andreas Schweitzer and Sebastian Lesigang emphasize: "He helped his friend after the crime." Because it was two unknown Arabs who attacked the 29-year-old - it was about cocaine. The 40-year-old even tried to resuscitate the dying man and called the emergency services. The trial is adjourned to April 22 for further witnesses.