Austria mass stabbing that left 14-year-old boy lifeless linked to ISIS officers declare

A stabbing in Austria on February 15 that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy was an Islamist attack, officials have confirmed.

The attack took place on Saturday at Villach, a town near the border with Italy and Slovenia. A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker was detained at the scene. The incident saw one teen boy tie, while around four were injured. Speaking following the attack, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said an Islamic State group flag had been found in the apartment of the asylum seejer, while state police chief Michaela Kohlweiss said he had sworn allegiance to the group.

Speaking at a news conference today (February 16), Karner said this was an “Islamist attack with IS links by an attacker who, according to the investigations so far, was obviously radicalised online, via the internet, within a very short space of time.

“So those in a position of responsibility, the police, the authorities, must draw the necessary conclusions from that.”

Karner added that the suspect had a valid residence permit, no criminal record, and was unknown to police as he had not previously attracted the attention of authorities. Authorities said he had a temporary residence at the time of attack, as he was awaiting a decision on his asylum application.

The attack took place around 16:00 local time (15:00 GMT) near the town’s main square. The perpetrator is currently unanmed, but it is known he stabbed several people.

Peter Kaiser, the governor of the Austrian province of Carinthia, said: “This outrageous atrocity must be met with harsh consequences. I have always said with clarity and unambiguously.

“Those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, have to respect the law and adjust to our rules and values.”

The attack was curbed by a ‘hero food delivery driver,’ who police said witnessed the attack from his car, before ramming the suspect with his vehicle, thus preventing further atrocities. The driver was a 42-year-old male and also of Syrian nationality.

Dionisio said the attacker was “observed by a witness – a food delivery driver saw it and rammed him with his vehicle, and at the moment it looks like he was thus able to prevent him from causing further damage”.

The alleged suspect of the incident was later pictured smiling while relaxing on a stone bench following the attack. Photos showed a police officer cautiously approaching him.

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