planned attack on Vienna Pride march foiled, three people arrested

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According to Austrian intelligence, the three young men were sympathizers of the terrorist organization Islamic State.

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Participants in the Rainbow Parade, the local edition of the pride march, in Vienna (Austria), June 17, 2023. (CHRISTIAN BRUNA / EPA / MAXPPP)

About 300,000 people marched in Vienna on Saturday, June 17, during the LGBT+ pride march in Austria. A gathering that was targeted by a planned attack foiled by Austrian intelligence. The latter announced on Sunday that three suspects had been arrested ahead of the demonstration, the security of which was reinforced. The authorities assured that the participants had never been in danger.

The three suspects arrested are three Austrians aged 14, 17 and 20, whom intelligence accuses of sharing “extremist content” and expressed sympathy for the jihadist group Islamic State. “The suspects focused on the [marche des fiertés] as a potential target, the statement said. One of them was already known to the police.

The three men planned to use “bladed weapons or vehicles” to attack march participants, police told reporters. Weapons were seized during searches on Saturday.


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