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Judo champion accused of abusing girls

Peter Seisenbacher, Austria’s most successful judo fighter and winner of two Olympic gold medals, is under investigation on suspicion of sexually harassing and sexually abusing under-age girls.

Published: 11 June 2014 14:34 CEST
Judo champion accused of abusing girls
Peter Seisenbacher. Photo: APA//HELMUT FOHRINGER

The incidents allegedly occurred during his time as a coach in the early 2000s.

Vienna’s public prosecutor's office has been investigating the accusations since Autumn 2013.

Seisenbacher, 54, allegedly abused at least four under-age girls. The victims approached the public prosecutor's office directly.

The women, who are now adults, say that Seisenbacher abused them when he was working as a judo club coach in Vienna. One of the women was still at primary school at the time, and so would have been younger than 14.

Seisenbacher, who won gold at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988, has not commented on the allegations.

According to reports, the public prosecutor's office has almost finished its investigation, and is waiting for the final police report. If found guilty Seisenbacher could face up to ten years in prison.

CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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