Dispute after drug deal

After being stabbed in the stomach during robbery: suspect in custody

After a knife attack on a 19-year-old in Innsbruck's Amberggasse a few weeks ago, the police have now been able to track down a suspect. A lot has also been revealed about the background to the crime: It is said to have involved a drug deal.

As reported by the "Krone" newspaper, the 19-year-old Moroccan was allegedly robbed by two unknown men on 22 January. They took an unknown amount of cash from him and fled. A short time later, the robbery victim noticed a stab wound on his stomach. 

Facebook photos led to suspects
After an initial manhunt was unsuccessful, the police began an investigation. Based on these and with the help of Facebook photos, the victim was able to "unequivocally identify" a suspect, as the police explained.

The man was identified beyond doubt by the victim on the basis of Facebook photos and the subsequent investigation.

Die Polizei

He is a 26-year-old Somali man who was arrested in Innsbruck on Tuesday. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he had injured the 19-year-old with a knife. Prior to this, there had allegedly been an argument in the course of a drug deal, during which the 19-year-old had allegedly attacked the 26-year-old with pepper spray. 

Suspect now in prison
The Somali suspect was transferred to Innsbruck prison on Wednesday by order of the Innsbruck public prosecutor's office - on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.