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Alleged Russian mobster nabbed at Vienna railway station

Austrian police commandos have arrested the alleged head of an "extremely brutal" Russian organised crime gang wanted for a string of killings in the north Caucasus, authorities said Monday.

Published: 19 January 2015 15:16 CET

Alleged Russian mobster nabbed at Vienna railway station

Russian police rounded up some of his gang in 2014. Photo: APA

The group “is believed to have carried out numerous murders of government officials and leading police officers and their families from 2008” in North Ossetia, Austrian federal police said.

The alleged victims include the Russian republic's deputy vice-president, the deputy public prosecutor, a mayor and the chief of police, they said in a statement.

The gang's head, Aslan Gagiev, 43, who was arrested at Vienna's main train station on Saturday, allegedly personally shot dead at least six people in 2012-13 and seriously injured three others.

Gagiev fled abroad in 2013 and Interpol Moscow last December informed Austrian authorities that he might be living there, prompting local police to investigate.

Gagiev, who was using a forged Bulgarian passport, was “completely surprised” when he was arrested and did not resist. He will be extradited to Russia, the Austrian police said.

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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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