Austria’s police have apprehended three individuals suspected of plotting an attack on the annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade held in the capital city of Vienna. The parade, which saw a turnout of over 300,000 people, took place on Saturday.
The Austrian security services reported that the young men, aged 14, 17, and 20, were arrested in their homes on the same day. Although no specific details were released, authorities confirmed the seizure of weapons during the operation, including knives, an axe, and air guns.
During a subsequent news conference on Sunday, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of Austrian domestic intelligence, announced the arrests. He explained that the decision to withhold information about the planned attack until after the parade was to ensure that participants did not experience unnecessary anxiety.
Haijawi-Pirchner revealed that the suspects were Austrian nationals of Bosnian and Chechen descent. Notably, one of them had a prior record with the police related to other terrorism charges. He also emphasized that Austrian authorities were aware of calls from the so-called Islamic State (IS) urging attacks, highlighting the seriousness with which they approached the situation.
Acknowledging the terrorist group’s ongoing threat, Haijawi-Pirchner referred to a recent report by Europol, the European police organization, warning of potential attacks in Europe. He emphasized the importance of taking these threats seriously and remaining vigilant.
The arrest comes after Austria experienced an IS-inspired attack in November 2020, when a gunman targeted a popular nightlife area in Vienna. The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of four people and left 23 others injured.
The swift response and preventive action by Austrian security services serve as a reminder of the importance of effective counterterrorism measures and the continuous need for public vigilance in the face of potential threats.