Church rammed

Hatred of the church turned Romanian into a driver run amok

The Romanian suspect left a trail of devastation from Vienna in a "twelve-ton truck" - his company vehicle. In addition to the destroyed church, there were also five accidents with one injured person.

(Bild: TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

As reported, a Romanian drove his company truck into a church in Brunn am Gebirge (Lower Austria). Several times! As has now become known, the suspect had already attracted negative attention in the place of worship two years ago - he was subsequently excluded from the religious community. The "Krone" knows the details.

Only a short time ago, a truck driver's rampage would have ended in an even greater catastrophe. "There was a big celebration," says Mayor Andreas Linhart. But even so, the crime on Monday evening in Brunn am Gebirge caused horror.

The 32-year-old is said to have deliberately rammed the building of the Elim Pentecostal Church of God several times and from different sides with his twelve-tonne truck. "Out of pure hatred", as he now confessed. Three people were inside the building, but were able to escape to the upper floor.

The church building was badly damaged in several places.

(Bild: DOMINIK MANDL)

More and more details are coming to light
The Romanian himself was a member of the free religious community, but was expelled after an "incident". According to information from Krone, this happened two years ago. At that time, he is said to have attacked a person with a stick in the place of worship.

The lack of recognition destroyed his life. He probably never got over the rejection. When asked, Erich Habitzl from the public prosecutor's office confirmed proceedings for coercion and damage to property.

At the big religious festival shortly before, this trip would have ended in disaster. Fortunately, no one was killed.

Andreas Linhart, Bürgermeister Brunn am Gebirge

Bild: Gemeinde Brunn am Gebirge

In any case, the shock runs deep in the community of around 12,300 people. The religious community settled there three years ago. "They were always inconspicuous," says Linhart.

Employer horrified
Meanwhile, the suspect's employer, a transport company on the Vienna city limits, is also horrified: "He had been with us for a year, never attracted any negative attention and was always reliable. We knew nothing about any psychological problems. He had actually already finished his tour, came to the company premises briefly and left again."

On his "personal war campaign", the suspect had caused five accidents - before he targeted the church building - and one woman was injured.

The Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LSE) has taken over the investigation. The public prosecutor's office in Wiener Neustadt has requested that he be remanded in custody. The Romanian confessed during questioning.