Looting and More

Calls for Violence on Halloween: Suspects Apprehended

During house searches, the police seized, among other items, alarm guns, a machete, and data storage devices.(Bild: LPD Wien)

They called for violence and looting on social media platforms on Halloween night—now the police have made a successful arrest. Officers managed to track down a total of six suspects. They are teenagers and young men. 

Recently, calls for violent excesses and looting on Halloween night had increased on these platforms; the State Office for State Security and Countering Extremism (LSE), with the support of the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN), immediately launched an investigation.

These efforts were quickly crowned with success. The net closed in, and the calls for violence were ultimately traced back to six suspects. 

“According to current police findings, these individuals are the main perpetrators behind the calls to action published online,” clarified police spokesperson Julia Schick.

During house searches, the police seized, among other items, alarm guns, a machete, and data storage devices. © euro(Bild: LPD Wien)

Weapons and data storage devices seized
Early Friday morning, a coordinated raid took place in Vienna and Lower Austria; six house searches were conducted, and four suspects between the ages of 14 and 22 (one Austrian, one Iraqi, one Nigerian, and one Chechen) were immediately questioned. 

During the search of the premises, two alarm guns, a softgun, ammunition, a machete, and several data storage devices were also seized.

While a fifth suspect has already been in jail for a few hours on charges related to another offense, a sixth person is still being sought—though the police already know this person’s name. It is unclear whether the four individuals currently being questioned will remain in custody afterward.

“Police Will Take Decisive Action”
The message from law enforcement remains clear. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner recently emphasized that authorities will take decisive action. Officials assured that the investigation is continuing at full speed. They have repeatedly promised in recent days that there will be no scenes like those in France. 

“The background of the individuals under investigation, particularly their motives for the planned crimes, is the subject of intensive police investigations. According to initial findings, there is no evidence of ideological motivation,” said Schick. Investigations are currently underway regarding criminal conspiracy, incitement to commit punishable acts, and approval of punishable acts.