Smugglers arrested

Mysterious men caught without papers in Vienna

Four men were arrested during an immigration check on Mariahilfer Straße (symbolic image).

(Bild: P. Huber)

Disoriented and with dirty clothes, four men were walking along Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna on Monday. The police then asked them to identify themselves. It quickly became clear that they were probably in the country illegally. 

During the check, it turned out that three of them did not have any identification papers with them. However, a 20-year-old man from Afghanistan was able to identify himself with a document.

Suspected smuggler arrested
Further investigations confirmed the suspicion that the 20-year-old could be working as a smuggler. He is accused of organizing the illegal entry of the other three men in return for payment. As a result, the suspected smuggler was arrested, while the three other men were taken into temporary custody under the Aliens Police Act.

 20-year-old responsible for onward journey
According to the information available so far, the men allegedly being smuggled are three Afghan nationals aged 20, 21 and 25. They are said to have been brought to Austria in a car by an as yet unknown man in return for a payment of money. The arrested 20-year-old was apparently responsible for their onward journey.

After consultation with the public prosecutor's office and the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum, all four men were released. Investigations are continuing.