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CRIME

Praterstern murder suspect hands himself in

A suspected killer has handed himself in to police in Vienna, confessing to stabbing an Algerian man last month in Praterstern who later died.

Published: 22 October 2015 12:59 CEST
Praterstern murder suspect hands himself in
The crime scene. Photo: ORF

Police released CCTV footage of the incident after four men got into a violent fight shortly after midnight on September 10th.

Local media reported that two Algerians had gone to the aid of a woman who was arguing with two Serbian men.

The 37-year-old Algerian was seriously injured and died in hospital the next day. His 35-year-old friend was also stabbed but survived after several hours of emergency surgery.

The second Serbian suspect also handed himself into police on Wednesday but has since been released.

His 39-year-old friend confessed to stabbing the Algerian but said that it was in self defence. Both men fled to Serbia after the attack, and told police they decided to hand themselves in after hearing that an international arrest warrant had been issued for them and the pressure of being found became too great. 

The suspected killer is now being held in police custody.

Police spokesman Thomas Keiblinger told Radio Wien that the victim may have known the woman who was arguing with the Serbians from the drugs scene. The Serbians allege that she had been harassing them, that they pushed her, and were then attacked by the Algerians.

The 35-year-old Algerian is also currently in police custody after being arrested for a drugs offence.

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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