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CRIME

Pensioner arrested after trying to electrocute his wife

A 74-year-old man from Upper Austria has been arrested on suspicion of trying to murder his wife on two occasions last year by giving her electric shocks.

Published: 27 February 2017 14:13 CET
Pensioner arrested after trying to electrocute his wife
Photo: iodrakon/Depositphotos

The pensioner is now being held in police custody in Steyr.

In January 2016 the man is accused of holding a live cable against his 64-year-old wife’s armpits, Andreas Pechatschek, a spokesman for the prosecutor said on Monday. She was later treated for electrical burns to her skin by a doctor. In February a similar incident occurred. On both occasions she did not report her husband to the police.

A few months later the police received an anonymous tip-off that the man had tried to murder his wife, and they began to investigate the incidents.

Two court appointed experts concluded that holding a live cable against someone’s damp armpits could in fact kill them – which was enough to secure an arrest warrant for the man.

Police say that the 74-year-old said the first incident was an accident, and denied having tried the same thing a second time.

The woman has since separated from her husband and left the family home. She told police that when her husband tried to electrocute her she was standing in the bathroom with her back to him.

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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