Police in Austria say they foiled an attack on Vienna’s annual Pride parade Saturday after arresting three suspects with alleged links to Islamic extremism.
The three – aged 14, 17 and 20 – are Austrian nationals of Bosnian and Chechen origin, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner from Austria’s State Protection and Intelligence Directorate (DSN) told journalists at a hastily called press conference Sunday.
They had allegedly become radicalized online and developed views sympathetic to ISIS, according to Haijawi-Pirchner.
“In our democratic society, hate and terror have no place,” he said.
State police president Gerhard Pürstl told journalists: “For the LGBTQ community, many Islamic as well as right-wing extremists represent an intense enemy, which is clear from the violent crimes that have been committed during events in the past across the world, as well as in Europe.”
The DSN had advance knowledge of the suspects’ alleged plans and kept them “under constant control.” The trio were arrested ahead of Saturday’s parade by Austria’s Cobra special forces.
Director of Austria's domestic intelligence agency DSN Omar Haijawi-Pirchner and president of the Vienna Police Gerhard Pürstl during the press conference on on Sunday.
Director of Austria's domestic intelligence agency DSN Omar Haijawi-Pirchner and president of the Vienna Police Gerhard Pürstl during the press conference on on Sunday.
Tobias Steinmaurer/APA/AFP/Getty Images
An image of the weapons confiscated is shown during the press conference.
An image of the weapons confiscated is shown during the press conference.
Tobias Steinmaurer/APA/AFP/Getty Images
“The investigations by the State Protection and Intelligence Directorate found that multiple people were planning an attack on the parade,” a statement released by Austria’s Interior Ministry said.
“The suspects were subsequently tracked down and taken into custody in a coordinated attack,” it said, adding that those attending the event were never in danger.
Authorities carried out searches on properties in Vienna and lower Austria, during which they seized banned weapons.
The annual Rainbow Parade is part of Vienna’s largest LGBTQ event in Austria – Vienna Pride – which runs from June 1 to 18. This year the march was attended by around 300,000 people.
Police in Austria have confirmed that they have arrested three people as part of an investigation that uncovered a planned attack on Vienna's annual Pride parade.
Statements from police indicate that the three Austrian nationals - aged 14,17, and 20 - had become radicalised online, with views sympathetic to the ISIS terrorist organisation.
Police had been monitoring the suspects for some time and arrested them ahead of the city's Pride parade.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Austria?
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Austria? Let's take a look at some of the key equality indicators.
Is it legal to be gay in Austria?
Yes. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Austria since 1971.
The country has not addressed historical convictions for men prosecuted before 1971.
The age of consent was equalised by a court decision in 2002. The age of consent is now 14 years old for both homosexual and heterosexual sexual activity.
Is there Marriage Equality in Austria?
Yes. Registered partnerships were introduced in 2010, and same-sex marriage became possible from 2019 following a ruling by the Austrian Constitutional Court.
Are there anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in Austria?
Yes – anti-discrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation have been in place since 2004.
There are additional protections against hate-crimes or hate-speech.
What’s life like for LGBTQ people in Austria?
Austria has a large, well-organised and visible LGBTQ community.LGBTQ play leading roles in politics, entertainment, and public life.
Large LGBTQ Pride events are held each year in cities across Austria.
