Austrian court sentences Syrian to life in prison for deadly knife attack
Details of the Villach Knife Attack and Court Proceedings
Overview of the Incident
VIENNA, May 27 (Reuters) - An Austrian court sentenced a 24-year-old Kurdish Syrian refugee to life in prison on Wednesday for a deadly knife attack in the southern town of Villach last year, after a jury found him guilty of all charges including murder and terrorism offences.
The defendant, who has not been named, was arrested moments after killing a 14-year-old boy and wounding five other people with a jackknife in February 2025. He admitted carrying out the attack and swearing allegiance to Islamic State.
Radicalisation and Motive
The prosecution told the court in the city of Klagenfurt he underwent "lightning radicalisation" on TikTok, surprising even his own brother, media at the trial said.
Asked by the presiding judge through an interpreter whether he would commit the crime again if given the opportunity, the defendant nodded, media including national broadcaster ORF and news agency APA reported.
Jury Verdict and Sentencing
The eight-person jury unanimously found him guilty of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and terrorism-related offences. He indicated he did not plan to appeal.
Security Measures at the Trial
The defendant said little at the trial, where exceptional security measures were in place, including putting him behind a protective screen. The court banned reporters from bringing electronic equipment into the courtroom.
Context: Islamist Attacks in Austria
It was the second deadly Islamist militant attack in Austria after a gunman killed four people and injured 22 others before police shot him dead in Vienna in November 2020.
Related Trials
The Klagenfurt trial, which opened on Wednesday and had been due to last until Thursday, coincides with that of a 21-year-old accused of planning an Islamist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024 that was foiled at the 11th hour.
The defendant in that trial, Beran A, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to that planned attack but not to others over a separate alleged plot. A ruling in that case is due on Thursday.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Gus Trompiz and Mark Porter)
