Assault in apartment

14-year-old raped in Vienna: Prison for Syrian man

The 27-year-old did not confess during the trial.(Bild: Hannah Tilly, Krone KREATIV)

A 27-year-old man was released from custody last week at the Vienna Regional Court - because, according to the indictment, he raped a girl who was only 14 years old at the time last year. The panel of lay judges sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.

Yet another disturbing case of abuse in Vienna, where a runaway girl followed adult men to their apartment in Vienna's Donaustadt district. The perpetrator and victim are said not to have known each other beforehand, but the teenager, who was absent at the time, went home with the three Syrians - including the accused - to spend the night there. According to her own statements, she had drugs with her.

On April 10, 2024 at night, the 27-year-old is said to have finally started touching the girl. According to the public prosecutor, he pulled down her trousers and underpants, pinned her arms and pushed her legs apart before penetrating her. While he was holding her down, she told him to stop. To no avail.

Syrian speaks of sudden ejaculation
DNA traces also prove that sexual intercourse actually took place. The previously blameless Syrian speaks of a sudden ejaculation in the morning that caused him to panic. "I suddenly saw semen dripping down me. Then I panicked," said the man.

The 27-year-old did not confess during the trial.(Bild: Hannah Tilly, Krone KREATIV)

It's my first time in court and I'm completely confused.

Der Angeklagte (27) zum Richter

Defendant doesn't want to know anything more
He no longer knew whether he had attacked the girl, according to his statements she had approached him. He also claims not to have known that she was only 14 years old at the time of the crime. "It's my first time in court and I'm completely confused. I don't know what to do," he bursts into tears.

The young victim only contacted her mother the next day at lunchtime, who also testified as a witness. "I was pregnant at the time and fainted," she told the Senate.

A friend finally picked up the victim from the apartment where the crime had taken place. In the adversarial interrogation, the girl reported on the terrible night: "I tried to stay awake. He attacked me all over my body. He didn't want to leave."

Defense lawyer Florian Höllwarth pleaded for an acquittal in case of doubt.(Bild: Hannah Tilly )

Four and a half years in prison
On the same day, the victim, who had run away from home, was found by officers at Praterstern. There she told the investigators about the incident and shortly afterwards had to undergo psychiatric treatment. The girl only reported the incident to the police at her mother's request. "She said she didn't want it to happen to other girls," explains the now 16-year-old.

Both give contradictory statements. I plead for an acquittal in case of doubt.

Verteidiger Florian Höllwarth

Bild: Anja Richter

"The victim and the defendant make contradictory statements," pleads defense lawyer Florian Höllwarth for an acquittal in case of doubt. However, the jury quickly agreed: the 27-year-old was found guilty. He has to serve four and a half years in prison for rape - not legally binding.