The Austrian authorities called the mistakes of the special services that led to the terrorist attack in Vienna inadmissible: they did not take the information about the terrorist who eventually killed four people in the capital with due seriousness. Reuters reported this with reference to official sources.
“Obvious and, from our point of view, unacceptable mistakes were made,” Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said at a press conference. He emphasized that the killer was not seen as a big threat and was not being followed closely enough. The head of the Vienna counter-terrorism branch of the intelligence service stepped down from his duties during the investigation.
Nehammer also said that the mosque, which the attacker often visited and is associated with his radicalization, will be closed. This was facilitated by the Austrian Muslim Association (IGGÖ), which will also facilitate the closure of other radical mosques.
On November 3, it became known that the Viennese terrorist managed to outwit the de-radicalization program and create the impression among specialists that he is successfully merging into a civilized society.
The shooting in the Austrian capital began on the evening of November 2: the first shots were fired at about 20:00 local time (22:00 Moscow time) at the synagogue in the city center. It was reported that almost simultaneously with this, several more people opened fire in other places. Later it became known that the security forces managed to shoot one of the attackers, while the others were being sought.
According to media reports, the eliminated intruder is a 20-year-old native of Vienna, Curtin S. He has Albanian roots, although his parents are from North Macedonia. He also holds dual Macedonian-Austrian citizenship. It is reported that the young man was known to intelligence: he was one of 90 Austrian Islamists who wanted to go to fight in Syria.
