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Fraudster leaves prison in name mix-up

A convicted fraudster must have been over the moon after he was released from prison four months too early after prison officials mixed him up with another prisoner with the same name.

Published: 20 January 2015 12:24 CET
Fraudster leaves prison in name mix-up
Photo: APA

However, according to reports in the Kronen Zeitung and the Heute newspapers, the 36-year-old man who was mistakenly released has been ordered to return to prison to complete his sentence. He had only served two months of a six month sentence.

He was released on January 13th in place of a 22-year-old man who had just finished a ten month sentence for drug offences.

“Unfortunately mistakes do happen due to human error,” Linz prison boss Josef Pühringer said.

Last summer a convicted jewel thief from the notorious Pink Panther gang was released three years early from Garsten prison due to a computer error. He was later arrested in Switzerland.

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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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