Trial in Upper Austria

Russian Islamist (20) promoted terror in Traun

Security measures are being stepped up again at the terror trial in Linz.

(Bild: Kerschbaummayr Werner)

A 26-year-old IS supporter killed in Solingen (Germany) at a peaceful town festival. Here in Austria, a young Chechen openly celebrated the terrorist organization and the police were alerted by their colleagues from Germany.

The Islamic State was defeated on the battlefield in the Middle East, but the terrorist organization is still present on the Internet in particular. This was demonstrated in the worst possible way in Solingen, Germany, where a Syrian follower (26) indiscriminately stabbed three people with a knife during a town festival after swearing allegiance online. Motive: kill as many infidels as possible.

Selfie videos with an IS flag
But there are also ticking time bombs in our immediate vicinity. A 20-year-old from Traun, born in Grozny (Russia/Chechnya), openly advertised for the Islamic State (IS) on the internet for two years. The German Federal Criminal Police Office raised the alarm with their colleagues in Upper Austria when a police officer came across one of the Traun Islamist's social media channels during daily internet searches - there were several posts on which he disseminated terror images and videos. One shows the "martyrdom" of a dying Islamist. He also produced selfie videos with IS flags, terror symbols and battle songs.

Up to ten years in prison
On Thursday, the 20-year-old, who was just 17 when he started with the IS propaganda, has to answer for "terrorist association" at the Linz Regional Court under the strictest security precautions. Threat of punishment: up to ten years in prison.