Austria says a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, suspected of carrying out a deadly stabbing rampage in the town of Villach, had sworn allegiance to Islamic State and was radicalised online. One person was killed and five injured on Saturday, with the suspect being charged with murder and attempted murder.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the man had been rapidly radicalised through internet searches and had an IS flag found in his apartment. Authorities also reported that the suspect recorded himself swearing an oath of allegiance to IS before the attack.
The attack came days after a plot to carry out a suicide attack at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna was thwarted by a teenager who also swore loyalty to IS. Residents of Villach expressed shock and some refused to be intimidated by the threat of terrorism, while others felt a sense of security had been lost.
Austria’s recent immigration from predominantly Muslim countries has become a charged political issue heading into an upcoming election. The far-right Freedom Party has seized on the attack, vowing to increase deportations to countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg condemned the attack, calling for unity and stating that hatred and extremism have no place in society.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/three-intensive-care-after-deadly-austrian-knife-attack-2025-02-16