Austria: 14-Year-Old Terror Suspect Arrested

On February 10, Austrian police arrested a 14-year-old boy of Turkish background in Vienna for planning a terrorist attack on the West Train Station of Vienna. A search of his home revealed bomb-making materials and knives as well as an ISIS flag and various hand-written sketches that indicated the planning of a terror attack.

The below article from Kronen Zeitung is translated by Fousesquawk. It is only the first half of the article. The remainder will be translated time allowing.

14-year-old arrested

Police prevent attack on the Vienna-West train station

Vienna February 19, 2025 at 13:59

The police and Office for Protection of the Consitution (Security Police) have apparently prevented a terrorist attack in Vienna. A boy just 14 years old reportedly planned an attack at the West Train Station. The teenager has been arrested.

As the Interior Ministry reported on Wednesday, investigators from the State Office for National Security and Anti-Terror (LSE) and forces of WEGA (Vienna special police unit), arrested the youth on February 10 in Vienna-Währing. The youth, of Turkish background, as "Krone" learned, was reportedly radicalized on the TikTok Internet platform.

Sketches and attack plans seized

In the house search, the investigators came across  Islamist books. In addition, various hand-written sketches were seized, that showed attacks with knives and machetes on a train station as well as police.  Drawings of Islamist soldiers with the ISIS flag were also found. Among the sketches were also found handwritten instructions for the production of explosive material that would function as a detonator for a bomb that would be made.

Bomb-making materials found

In addition, aluminum pipes, table legs, and duct tape were found in a hiding place in a basement. These materials would have been used to construct a bomb.  Also found and seized in another bag were a combat knife with a 16.5-centimeter blade, another folding knife with a 7-centimeter blade, as well as a flag with the Islamic profession of faith. The flag was similar to that also seized after the attack in Villach. 

Munich's Checkered History

Munich

The Hofbrauhaus

Oktoberfest

When we think of Munich, we think of happy events, the Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus, the beer halls, and the beer gardens. Munich is a wonderful city, always a pleasure to visit. However, like all major cities, it has seen its share of tragedy, and it has its share of dark periods, largely due to its prominent role in the Third Reich. This week, the city experienced its latest tragedy when an Afghan asylum-seeker drove a car into a crowd of people and killed two people, a mother and her two-year-old daughter. Over 30 others were injured.

If we go back just to the early 20th century, the city has witnessed its share of  unfortunate history. In 1914, when Germany declared war, a large crowd formed in the square on Odeonsplatz in front of the Feldherrnhalle memorial to the Bavarian army and cheered wildly. One of the people in the crowd was none other than Adolf Hitler, who had recently moved to Munich from Vienna to escape Austrian military service. Ironically, he was more than eager to join the German army and fight in World War 1. Incredibly, a photo taken at the time reportedly captured the image of Hitler, still a complete unknown at that time. (Some historians have questioned the validity of the photograph.)

When the war ended, Hitler was in a military hospital, having been temporarily blinded in a gas attack. Returning to Munich, he remained for a while in the army and eventually joined the fledgling German Workers Party, which became the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazis), and where he quickly rose to become its leader. Munich has since been known as the "birthplace of Nazism."

Prior to that, however, Germany dissolved into chaos following the war. In Munich, the House of Wittelsbach was overthrown, and a Bavarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed in November 1918, under Kurt Eisner, who was later assassinated in Munich the following year. Amid all the fighting around the country, the communist government was removed in a vicious battle in Munich in which hundreds died.

Kurt Eisner

In 1923, the Nazi party, under Hitler's leadership, attempted a coup ( the Beer Hall Putsch) which began in Munich and was intended to lead to the capital in Berlin. It all ended in a hail of bullets at the aforementioned Odeonsplatz. Hitler was arrested a few days later and spent nearly a year in nearby Landsberg Prison, where he wrote Mein Kampf. After his release in December 1924, Hitler returned to Munich where the party rebuilt itself after the national ban was lifted. After a gradual series of electoral victories, Hitler was appointed chancellor in January 1933 by President Paul von Hindenburg. By that time, Hitler had not only purchased a villa in Berchtesgaden, but an apartment on Prinzregentenplatz in Munich. In 1931, Hitler's niece, Geli Raubal, whom he was living with in the apartment and with whom Hitler was rumored to have some sort of improper relationship, was found dead in the Prinzregenten apartment of an (apparent) self-inflicted gunshot wound. The mystery surrounding her death has never been solved. It was also in Munich during this era that Hitler met Eva Braun, who was born in the city.

Angela "Geli" Raubal

1908-1931

16 Prinzregentenplatz

Hitler's apartment was on the second floor (in the US would be considered third floor). The building now houses a police station.

By June 1934, Hitler had long since abolished any semblance of democracy in Germany, and the first concentration camp was established at Dachau, just a few kilometers outside Munich. On June 30, 1934, came the so-called "Night of the Long Knives". That was when Hitler moved against the Sturmabteilung (Storm Troops) under Ernst Roehm, a Munich native, who Hitler believed was plotting against him. After being arrested in nearby Bad Wiessee, Roehm and others were brought to Munich's Stadelheim prison, where they were summarily shot, Roehm in his cell when he refused to shoot himself. Roehm is buried in the city's West Cemetery.

Ernst Roehm

Stadelheim prison

Munich, of course, was the scene of the infamous agreement concluded by Britain and France that allowed Hitler to take possession of the Sudentenland portion of Czechoslovakia, which was inhabited largely by German-speaking people. The name Munich became synonymous with this international sellout.

On November 7, 1938, a young Jew of Polish origin named Herschel Grynszpan walked into the German embassy in Paris and shot an embassy official, Ernst vom Rath. Grynszpan was enraged because his family had been deported from Germany to Poland. Vom Rath died 2 days later, and while the annual Nazi commemoration of the Beer Hall Putsch was in progress in Munich, Nazi leaders who were attending, upon being notified of vom Rath's death, put the calls out around the country that resulted in the pogrom all over Germany against Jewish citizens and their homes and businesses that very night. Grynzspan was eventually killed by the Nazis in France during the occupation of World War 2. 

In November 1939, Hitler was speaking at the Burgerbraukeller in Munich, again at the annual commemoration of the Beer Hall Putsch, when a bomb exploded under the podium where he had been speaking just minutes before. Hitler had unexpectedly cut short his speech and was on a train back to Berlin when the bomb went off.  A lone would-be assassin, Georg Elser, was arrested while attempting to cross over into Switzerland that same night and was found to be the bomber while in police custody. He was executed by the Nazis only in the closing days of World War 2. 

Burgerbraukeller after 1939 bombing

In June  1942, with World War 2 underway, a resistance group arose in Munich against the war and against Hitler's government. It consisted of a group called "The White Rose", a small group of students at the University of Munich and one of their professors (Kurt Huber). They produced pamphlets clandestinely and distributed them not just in Munich, but in different parts of Germany, riding the trains to various towns, dropping off pamphlets in open spaces where they could be found, and returning to Munich. The principal members were Sophie Scholl and her brother Hans, who had served in the army on the Eastern Front and knew of the atrocities being committed there. Hans and Sophie were arrested in February 1943 while dropping pamphlets in a University of Munich lecture hall. Others in their group were gradually arrested in the ensuing months. Hans and Sophie, as well as another Munich student, Christoph Probst, were brought to trial within days before the infamous hanging judge, Roland Freisler, who had been brought in from Berlin to conduct the trial. Condemned to death, all three were transported to Stadelheim prison and guillotined the same day. Others would follow in the ensuing months, Huber, Willi Graf, and Alexander Schmorell. Today, their names are honored in Germany.

Hans and Sophie Scholl

Ludwig-Maximillian University, Munich, where Hans and Sophie Scholl were arrested

The Scholls, Probst and Schmorell are buried in Munich's Perlacher Forst Cemetery.

 (L-R) Graves of Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst

                              

As with virtually every major city in Germany, Munich was leveled by the Allies in World War 2.

Munich 1945

Though largely overlooked by history, the final act of Munich's Nazi history was played out in October 1946 when ten Nazi defendants, convicted in the Nuremberg war crimes trials were hanged in the prison in Nuremberg. An 11th, Hermann Goering, committed suicide by cyanide capsule in his cell hours before the executions began. From Nuremberg, the bodies were put on lorries and trucked to Munich, a 2-hour drive from Nuremberg. It was in Munich that their bodies were cremated. Contrary to some accounts that claimed the cremations were carried out in the ovens of Dachau, the bodies were actually cremated at the East Cemetery of Munich. The ashes were then carried to a requisitioned house on the edge of a tributary that fed into the Isar River, which flows through Munich, where they were scattered. 

The city suffered another dark episode during the 1972 Olympic Games when Palestinian terrorists sneaked into the Olympic Village and took the entire 11-man Israeli team hostage killing two in the process. The affair ended at Munich's Fuerstenfeldbruck Airbase in which a gunfight erupted between terrorists and police. All of the Israeli Olympians and one police officer were killed in the firefight. Five of the eight terrorists were also killed.

Palestinian terrorist

In September 1980, the Oktoberfest suffered a terrorist bombing in which 13 people were killed including the bomber when his bomb went off prematurely. The bomber was identified as a neo-Nazi. 

And most recently this:

Austria: A Reaction to the Villach Attack

Arrest of Ahmad G.

The conservative Austrian blog, Unzensuriert, has posted an article reacting to the Villach terror attack on Saturday in which a 14-year-old boy lost his life. It gives you an idea where the various political parties stand. The below article is translated by Fousesquawk. 

The reaction after the murder of a 14-year-old Carinthian shows where the individual parties see their priorities.

Islamist terror

17 February 2025 13:57

After the murder of the Carinthian boy: Concrete demands met with empty words

The tragic death of a 14-year-old in Villach could have been prevented with a stronger EU-asylum policy, which thus far has failed due to EVP (European Commission) blocks, says Austria  Freedom Party EU delegate, Petra Steger, with conviction and (she) holds the longest ruling party responsible. 

No citizenship for asylum-seekers

That is why the Austria Freedom Party is demanding immediate measures against the imported violence. Austrian Freedom Party chief Herbert Kickl states:

"Asylum is temporary protection, Austrian citizenship cannot and must not come at the end of fleeing from a country to Austria.

The reasons for fleeing must be continuously verified. The goal must be the repatriation of asylum-seekers-and not the Red-White-Red passport."

90,000 new "Austrians at the gates

Kickl's concern is well-grounded. That's because there are almost 90,000 people "at the gates", who came from safe third-world countries to Austria in 2015 and who now have the right to Austrian citizenship. As an immediate protective measure, the Austria Freedom Party is calling for an immediate extension of the time for granting citizenship from the current 10 years to 15 years. With this, it can be prevented that in the coming months, thousands of illegal immigrants would become citizens.

The left wants more surveillance-of its own people?

The Austria Freedom Party remains alone with concrete suggestions. The Austrian Peoples' Party as well as the Social Democrat Party of Austria vaguely rely on "surveillance". Interior Minister Gerhard Kamer (Austrian Peoples' Party) wants "appropriate possibilities" with which police and State Security can preventively intervene. He may mean the highly controversial Messenger-surveillance, which the ORF (Austrian Public Broadcasting) suspects can be directed against all citizens. 

The Social Democrat Party of Austria is taking the same (position). After Vienna's mayor, Michael Ludwig, had earlier signaled his agreement with the Messenger-surveillance, now the Carinthian Governor is saying that the Social Democrat Party of Austria could agree.

Greens suspect the Internet is the cause

The Greens continue with empty words and ( remain) completely aloof. National spokesman and club chairman, Werner Kogler simply said:

"Violent extremism has no place in Austria and in the European Union."

For him, it is about "consistent action against Internet-radicalization", That is the Green answer to the Islamist attack in Carinthia. In connection with the terrible attack, he does not see that the Digital Services Act, which he praises, primarily limits the freedom of speech of opponents who do not conform to the government.

Apples and pears

It is expected that there will be an entry or residence ban on those known to be dangerous in other countries. That was already negotiated, when the Austrian Peoples' Party, the Social Democrat Party, and the New Austria Liberal Forum Party negotiated a coalition government. That the perpetrator in Villach did not fall into this group is clearly of little interest. The same goes for the increasingly fragile security of the indigenous population.

Columbia and Trump's Executive Order

This article first appeared in Times of Israel Blogs.

-NY Post

The current issue of the Columbia University campus newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, is featuring a front-page open letter signed by 19 people who identify as Israeli students, post-docs, and alumni of Columbia. In their letter, they state their opposition to any measures being pushed by the Trump administration to deport foreign students engaged in pro-Palestinian activities on campus. It seems, in fact, that they don't want the Trump administration involving itself on behalf of beleaguered Jewish students in any manner.  A link to the White House executive order is contained in the letter.

I gather from the letter itself that the signers are not exactly strong defenders of Israel's policies, which is their right even though they are Israeli citizens. I disagree strongly with their implication that the principal purveyors of anti-Semitism are neo-Nazis and white nationalists. Not that they don't exist, but to lay most of the blame on them is a canard-particularly on a college campus. 

To be fair, I have expressed many times that from my own personal experience on campuses, most of the activists engaging in objectionable (anti-Semitic) activity are either native-born or people who came to the US as youngsters. I base this on the fact that most of those I have observed and interacted with speak English with a native accent. Many, if not most come from a Muslim immigrant background, but there are also American leftist students of various persuasions even some Jews, lamentably. Thus, it is simplistic for us to simply call for the deportation of foreign students who engage in anti-Semitic behavior and think that will solve the problem.

 I do support the withdrawal of student visas and deportation of foreign students who cross the line from mere criticism of Israel into anti-Semitic expressions and acts of violence and vandalism. And make no mistake: If a university rightfully decides to expel a foreign student on a student visa-for any reason- it has an obligation to notify immigration authorities so that the student visa may be canceled and the student sent home. In fact, when I was teaching at the University of California at Irvine Extension (1998-2016), we were required to notify immigration authorities whenever a foreign student on a student visa was excessively absent from class. Beyond a certain limit, they would be dropped from our program (English as a second language). Their I-20 certificate of student eligibility would be canceled by the school, and unless they were accepted by another school, they would be forced to return home.

I would also call into question their claim that there are relationships between Israeli and Palestinian students that are being "nurtured". Where are these relationships, especially at this "pivotal time" at Columbia, of all places? While teaching at the University of California at Irvine and beyond, I have seen Jewish students try to dialogue with pro-Palestinian students many times-always in vain.

To that end, this letter looks to me at best to be just another attempt by some to try and show goodwill to the pro-Palestinian forces in the vain hope that it will be reciprocated. Either that or the words of a group that is on the side of the Palestinians. If, for the sake of argument, it is the former, it will be in vain. If it is the latter, it will be welcomed as useful- for the time being. (Can you say, "useful idiots"?)

Instead of trying to protect and shield miscreants, the writers of this letter should be glad that finally, there is a president back in the White House who cares enough about what Jewish students are going through to seriously tackle the problem. In reading the executive order, I see nothing that suggests that the administration wants to silence free speech as long as it is peaceful and doesn't cross the line into Jew hatred. It is the violence, calls for murder and other forms of violence, open support for Hamas, a US-designated terrorist organization, bullying of Jewish students, disruption of their events, vandalism, and illegal occupations and encampments, especially after October 7, 2023, that are being targeted.  And rightfully so.

JD Vance's Speech in Munich

This article first appeared in New English Review.

On Friday, Vice President J.D. Vance spoke at a security conference in Munich. His two main themes were freedom of expression in Europe and the migration disaster that has enveloped Europe-or at least Western Europe. Ironically, just the day before, Munich had been stunned by a terrorist car attack by an Afghan asylum-seeker. Almost 40 people were injured and two died, a mother and her two-year-old daughter in a stroller. During his stay in Munich, Vance also met with Alice Weidel, the leader of the right-wing party, Alternatif fuer Deutschland, which is steadily rising in popularity with Germans due to its anti-migrant platform. Add to that, elections in Germany are just days away, and the left is very nervous.

If you missed the speech, you can read the text here courtesy of the Telegraph (UK). While his tone was diplomatic, Vance sharply criticized the European political establishment for cracking down on speech from its political opponents as well as civilians expressing their frustration that their voices don't seem to count. Vance also "named names". He singled out Germany, England, and Scotland for criticism. He also brought up the issue of Europe increasing its contributions to defense.

Vance's speech has not been well received in Europe, or at least by the political establishment. Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacted angrily, and many other political figures and European media objected that Vance was lecturing them and meddling in European affairs.

As an American with much experience in Europe (3 years in Germany and 5 years in Italy), and as one who, like so many Americans, has always loved Europe, I have mixed feelings about the speech. I agree with him on the topics he raises. In many European countries, citizens and even some politicians like Geert Wilders of the Netherlands, have been hounded and even prosecuted for saying things about certain groups of migrants that I agree with. Europe does not have a First Amendment, and if the powers that be decide you are engaging in hate speech, you have problems.

Yet, it was just this past week that Islamist-inspired acts blasted across the front pages of European newspapers. Aside from Munich, a young Syrian man went on a stabbing spree in the picturesque town of Villach in Austria. Five people were stabbed, and a 14-year-old boy died of his wounds. The perpetrator was literally laughing as police arrested him at the scene. It should be noted that his arrest was facilitated by the actions of a Syrian immigrant driving a food delivery vehicle, He rammed the vehicle into the stabber and is being hailed as a hero. In a similar ironic twist regarding the two deceased victims in Munich, the mother was born in Algeria and had immigrated at the age of 4.  In France, a Moroccan migrant stabbed a 67-year-old mother and her 42-year-old son in the lobby of their apartment building in their town near Chartres for no apparent reason whatsoever. They are both in critical condition as of the last report. Stabbings like this in France are now a daily occurrence. Worse yet, this past week, an 11-year-old girl was stabbed to death as she walked home from school in her small town in the French department of Essonne. A 23-year-old man, born in France, and identified only as Owen L., has confessed to the crime. It's not clear whether he comes from an immigrant background, but one news source in France reported that his parents were "perfectly integrated." In short, Europe has a crisis on its hands.

At the same time, having spent 8 years living in Europe coupled with countless visits to the Continent for work or pleasure, I think I understand European sensibilities. They don't like being lectured by Americans the same as we don't like being lectured by Europeans, a love-hate relationship, so to speak, that has been going on for many generations. When Vance described President Trump as the "new sheriff in town", I am sure that many of his listeners interpreted that as applying to Europe. Vance should have made it clear he was referring to a new sheriff in America, not Europe, or just eliminated it altogether. 

Vance, a very intelligent and well-spoken man, surely realized that many Europeans are nervous about Trump being back in the White House. He could have allayed those fears. (There is some fence-mending to do in Canada as well. This week, there was a 4-country hockey tournament in Montreal featuring the US, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. Every time our National Anthem was played, it was booed by the fans. So much for Trump's "visions" of a 51st state.) 

In the long run, I don't think Vance's speech will have big repercussions. He still has a bright future ahead of him, in my opinion. Trump will continue to stir up the hornet's nest, but what I tell my European friends is that they should not pay attention to what Trump says but what he does-which is usually very good in my view.  The Europeans know that Biden-Harris were a disaster and that the American voters spoke loud and clear. The question-which Vance raised- is whether they are listening to their own voters. Every time I read of one of these deadly attacks by Syrians, Moroccans, Afghans, or what have you, I wonder if this will be the straw that broke the camel's back. 

To that end, Germany's election on February 25 is worth watching.

Germany: The Family of 2 Deceased Victims of Terror Attack Speak Out

-Daily Mail (UK)

 As we have previously reported, two victims of the car attack this week in Munich, a mother and her 2-year-old daughter, have died from their injuries. The driver, an asylum-seeker from Afghanistan, was clearly on a mission of jihad. Ironically, the mother was born in Algeria 37 years ago and immigrated at the age of 4 to Germany. 

On Saturday, the Munich newspaper, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, interviewed several members of the victims' family. The translation is by Fousesquawk.

Attack in Munich: In a statement, the family requests that the deaths not be exploited

By Bernd Kastner

"Amel was a person who stood for justice." The family of the mother and her 2-year-old daughter requested an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and to publish an emotional appeal.

Two days after the attack in Munich, a 37-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter died. This was reported to Sueddeutsche Zeitung by the relatives. The mother was walking at the end of a demonstration march by the Verdi union, into which a young man drove with his car. She had her daughter with her in a stroller.

On Saturday afternoon the family of the deceased asked SZ for an interview. The father and husband, together with relatives, had prepared a statement in the name of family and friends.

In it, they gave thanks for the sympathy and solidarity. "We  thank the workers, the nurses, and doctors, for the good support, companionship, and emotional support." They only want the first names of both deceased published. The mother is Amel, Hafta the daughter.

According to the family, the 37-year-old woman was born in Algeria and came to Germany at age 4. She studied environmental protection, and since 2017, was working as an engineer for the city of Munich. She most recently worked as department head with the Munich City Drainage. For the family, it is important that the deaths of the mother and daughter not be used, "to stir up hate," and not be politically exploited. The statement says, "Amel was a person who stood for justice. She was active for solidarity and equality, and she fought for workers' rights and against xenophobia and exclusion. It was very important to her to pass on these values to her daughter."

The husband of the deceased, his sister, the sister of the deceased, and a cousin participated in the conversation with SZ. The father and husband of both deceased does not want his name, which is known to SZ, published. The 38-year-old reported that in the past few days, he has been well supported by his wife's colleagues, relatives, and friends. he expressly thanked the police and all rescue services. Also, the employees of a crisis intervention team provided good support. "They did good work."

The stroller that after the attack was lying at the intersection and can be seen in many photos, was the one with which his wife and daughter were walking.

Austria: Syrian Refugee Stabs Five People on Street-One Dead

Villach

Today in the Austrian town of Villach (Carinthia) a Syrian refugee went on a stabbing rampage and five people were injured. One victim died. He was 14-year-old. As he was being arrested, the suspect reportedly was laughing.

The arrest

-Le Matin (ch)

The below article from Kronen Zeitung (Austria) is translated by Fousesquawk. Note that this article is still being updated by the newspaper, so there may be some discrepancies including the captions to the photos.

Violent act in Villach

Syrian stabs randomly with knife: 14-year-old dead

Carinthia, Feb 15, 2025 18:48

Caption: For a 14-year-old resident of Villach, the stabbing ended fatally. 4 other victims were seriously injured.

A terrible act in Villach on Saturday afternoon led to a major police deployment. The trigger was a knife stabbing, (and) one perpetrator was arrested- For a 14-year-old resident of Villach, the act was deadly, four other victims were seriously injured. The (circumstances) are unclear, (and) the investigators at this time are ruling nothing out.

"This is an extraordinary act. Such a thing is unprecedented in Carinthia," a shocked Rainer Dionisio, head of public relations (LPD-State Police) Carinthia "The background (circumstances) of the act are still unknown, the entire picture will be examined. "Shortly before 4 pm, at a sausage stand in the Villach inner city, a 23-year-old Syrian suddenly began to stab passersby. While 2 of the victims were slightly injured, 2 others were seriously injured, (and) for a 14-year-old resident of Villach, this afternoon ended fatally. He was fatally stabbed by the attacker. All the victims are male.

Caption:  The perpetrator injured five people. A 14-year-old died.

But it could have been worse had not a brave witness intervened. "A 42-year-old food delivery man, who is also Syrian, observed the act. He then drove his vehicle into the perpetrator," Dionisio further reports. The Syrian stated that he did it "before even more happened". At this time, an (investigation) is underway throughout Carinthia under the direction of the State Office for National Security and the State Criminal Police. Whether there is any terrorist (connection) should be cleared up by the investigations.

What is especially stunning- the perpetrator seemed to have no remorse. "Videos of the arrest showed how the perpetrator was laughing," says a stunned Dionisio. Given the current state of affairs, it's a good thing that the witness drove into the perpetrator." The 23-year-old  (man who went on a rampage), and who had no previous police record, had a card on his person that identified as having asylum status- he was reportedly living in the Langauen Asylum Center.

Politician demands consequences

"This incomprehensible atrocity must have the most severe consequences! I have always said clearly and unequivocally: Whoever lives in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect law and order, and adapt to our rules and values," states State Governor Peter Kaiser in clear words. "Whoever violates this must suffer the most severe consequences- that is to put them on trial, imprison them, and deport them!" To the relatives and victims, he expressed his sympathy: "My deepest sympathy as state governor and, above all, personally as a father, go the family of the murdered young man." 

FP leader Erwin Angerer was the first to comment on the attack. He said he was deeply shaken by the brutal knife attack and attacked the  ÖVP (Austrian Peoples' Party). "We in the Freedom Party (of Austria) have been warning for years about these conditions which have arisen as a result of the fatal asylum policy of the Unity Party under the leadership of the ÖVP, and we are the only party to demand an immediate stop to asylum, and to (demand) consequential deportations of foreign criminals."

Team Carinthia leader Gerhard Köfer is also demanding consequences. "After this despicable act, we cannot and must not just move on to business as usual. Massive consequences are needed for the alleged perpetrator, but also in the asylum and migration policy in general." The NEOS (New Austria and Liberal Forum Party) are deeply affected. We are shaken and deeply affected by this terrible event, Our sympathy goes out to the families of the victims, and we hope that the injured will make a quick and full recovery," stresses NEOS leader Janos Juvan. "A special thank you to all those who prevented an even greater disaster through their quick intervention." 

By:  

Jennifer Kapellari

Felix Justich

---------------------------------------------------------

*Update (hat tip Jihad Watch and Eva Vlaardingerbroek): Jiahd Watch has posted a photo of the perpetrator smiling as he is being arrested.

Germany: Two-Year-Old Girl and Her Mother Have Died From Injuries in Munich Car Attack

-Sueddeutsche Zeitung

A 2-year-old girl and her mother have died from the injuries in this week's car attack in Munich by an Afghan asylum-seeker. This is the cost of the insane refugee policy of ex-chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor, Olaf Scholz.

France: Two People-Mother and Son- in Critical Condition After Being Stabbed

Moroccan man in custody

Thursday evening in the French town of Lucé (Eure-et-Loir), near Chartres, two people, a woman in her 60s and her son in his 40s, were stabbed and seriously injured by a man who gained access to their apartment building. The attack appeared random and without any provocation. Later, a Moroccan man in his 30s was arrested and charged with the crime. The suspect had been convicted numerous times since his arrival in France in 2002 but was never deported supposedly because his mental condition required care. 

Scene of the crime

-L'Echo Republicain

The below article in L'Echo Republicain, translated by Fousesquawk, explains why this man was still in France. Meanwhile, two people are fighting for their lives.

A woman and her son seriously injured, suspect in custody for attempted murder.......What we know about the knife attack in Eure-et-Loir.

A man born in 1986 is suspected of having attacked and seriously injured a woman and her son with a knife in the lobby of an apartment building on rue de Bruxelles in Lucé (Eure-et-Loir) Thursday, 13 February around 5 pm. The condition of the two injured persons is reportedly critical, according to our information.

- By  Laurence Franceschina, Thierry Delaunay et Sébastien Couratin

Posted 13 February 2025 at 18:56-Updated 14 February 2025 at 19:07

Caption: The attack occurred in the quarter of Bruxelles in Lucé (Archives photo)

A 67-year-old woman and her 42-year-old son were the victims of a knife attack and seriously injured in the lobby of an apartment building on rue de Bruxelles in Lucé, Thursday 13 February around 5 pm.

The information concerning this attack was confirmed to us by the Prosecutor of the Republic in Chartres and the Prefecture of Eure-et-Loir, who posted a press release around 7 pm.

Also according to our sources, a man, born in 1986, is suspected of having attacked the two victims, using a knife, seemingly with no apparent reason.

Injuries to the stomach and chest

The two injured persons, in a situation of absolute emergency, were transported to the Hospital Center of Coudray. Their condition was critical on Thursday evening.

Reached by telephone, Frederic Chevallier, the Republican Prosecutor of Chartres, detailed the initial elements gathered by the investigators. The suspect, he explains, resides in a building at number 17 rue de Bruxelles with his mother and sister.

On Thursday, around 5 pm, the suspect, presumed innocent, for a reason as yet undetermined, reportedly activated several rings on the intercom of building 25 on the same street until a person opened. 

Once inside the lobby, he reportedly rang the residence of the 67-year-old woman, who opened her door. At that moment, the 30-something-year-old reportedly struck her in the stomach before injuring her son in the chest.

The man then reportedly fled and returned to his residence as a neighbor of the two victims and his own family alerted rescue services.

In custody for attempted murder

The suspect was quickly arrested by police and placed in custody on charges of attempted murder.  He had been the object, says the Prefecture in a press release, "of a total hospital lockdown since September 2024 and had been under the care of a branch of the Henri-Ey Hospital in Lucé."

This man of Moroccan nationality, who has been residing in France since 2002, has been convicted several times in the past years, according to judicial and police sources. These verdicts concern cases of drug traffic, resistance, and violence against public officials.

Prosecuted in 2023 for armed violence, he was judged criminally incompetent, according to the prosecutor, and was hospitalized for psychiatric problems.

These convictions and his situation "justified the non-renewal of his residence permit in October 2024," states the prefecture. In accordance with the regulation in effect, "a reduction of status in the form of a temporary authorization of stay (APS) of 6 months was in the progress of being issued."

The APS is a document that permits its holder to reside on an exceptional and one-time basis in France, for example, to receive (medical) care, receive a diploma, or process an asylum request, without benefitting from certain rights accorded to other foreign nationals, such as the possibility of working or receiving certain (forms of) support.

Search in progress

Because his state of health necessitated that care be provided to him, this man was the object of an APS and not, for example, an Obligation to Leave French Territory (OQTF), which the non-renewal of his residence permit could have triggered, but which his medical situation did not allow to be put into force.

In the early evening, a search was carried out in the residence of this 30-year-old.

Contacted, Florent Gauthier, mayor of Lucé, (expressed his thoughts) for the two victims and their family. "I'm letting the investigation play out," he stated.

UCLA Suspends SJP and Graduate SJP

-LA Times

UCLA has suspended the campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine for their protest held outside the home of a University of California Regent, Jay Sures, earlier this month, in which his house was vandalized and neighbors were harassed. This is a welcome development. The LA Times has the report here. The LA-based Jewish Journal has a report here.

It is not enough, however.  SJP and its related organizations have repeatedly shown all across the country that they will not conduct themselves in a civilized manner. Instead, they resort to tactics of vandalism, occupation, and intimidation of Jewish students. SJP should be permanently banned everywhere.

The Munich Car Attack: Terror Motive Confirmed

-NOS.nl

The injury toll from yesterday's car attack in Munich by an Afghan asylum-seeker now stands at 36 with one (a 2-year-old girl) in critical condition.

Yesterday we cross-posted a video on X uncovered by Vlad Tepes blog showed the suspect being restrained by police while praying the Shehada (Islamic profession of faith) and repeatedly shouting, "Allahu Akhbar". This morning, both German and Dutch news outlets are reporting that German police assume the attack was "Islamist"-inspired since the attacker was, in fact, praying and repeating, "Allahu Akhbar." 

Apparently, some sources were disputing the authenticity of the video yesterday since different shots showed the suspect being restrained alongside his car and also some feet away from his car. The news reports below would seem to confirm the authenticity of the video. It is assumed that police initially restrained the suspect next to his car then moved him a few feet away from the scene (where victims were being treated). It is at the second location that the suspect, Farhad N., began praying and repeating, "Allahu Akhbar".

We have translated one relevant paragraph each from Welt (Germany) and NOS (Netherlands).

From Welt:

"Meanwhile, investigators now assume an "Islamist motivation for the act". At the time of his arrest, N. shouted, 'Allahu Akhbar' and prayed, said the senior public prosecutor of the Munich General Public Prosecutor's Office, Gabriele Tilmann."

Die Ermittler gehen inzwischen von einer „islamistischen Tatmotivation“ aus. N. habe bei seiner Festnahme „Allahu Akbar“ gerufen und gebetet, sagte die leitende Oberstaatsanwältin Gabriele Tilmann von der Generalstaatsanwaltschaft München.

From NOS:

"The man's statement points to a religious act, said senior officer Gabriele Tilmann. He said, 'Allahu Akhbar' (God is great in Arabic) to the police and began to pray. That was the reason for the Extremism and Terrorism section of Bavarian Justice to take over the case. 'I would go so far as to speak of an Islamist motivation for his act,' said Tilmann."

De verklaring van de man wijst op een religieuze daad, aldus hoofdofficier Gabriele Tilmann. Tegenover de politie zei hij "Allahoe akbar" ("God is groot" in het Arabisch) waarna hij begon te bidden. Dat was voor de afdeling binnen de Beierse justitie die zich bezighoudt met extremisme en terreur aanleiding de zaak over te nemen. "Ik zou durven spreken van een islamitische motivatie voor zijn daad", zei Tilman.

*Update: From France 24 (France)

"This Afghan, identified under the name Farhad Noori, shouted, "Allahu Akhbar!" (God is great) after his arrest by police and then prayed, the authorities say."

Cet Afghan, identifié sous le nom de Farhad Noori, a crié "Allah Akhbar !" ("Dieu est grand") après son arrestation par les policiers et a ensuite prié, ont raconté les autorités.

* Update: From 7 sur 7 (Belgium)

Below is a paragraph from an article by the French-language Belgian daily, 7 sur 7. They quote the German magazine, Der Spiegel, that the driver's social media postings indicate that he is radicalized. The Der Spiegel article itself, while linked by 7 sur 7, is not available due to a subscriber block. Therefore, we have translated the relevant paragraph from 7 sur 7.

"According to information from Der Spiegel magazine, the individual was reportedly radicalized. He also reportedly posted messages of an Islamist character before proceeding to the act. A few days earlier, he had shared videos from a Salafist and wrote in a post: "Eradicate all those who are bad for Islam." According to Der Tagesspiegel, he also reportedly followed hundreds of accounts disseminating Islamic content on Instagram. On TikTok, he re-posted this type of videos almost exclusively."

 Selon les informations du magazine Der Spiegel, l’individu se serait radicalisé. Il aurait d’ailleurs posté des messages à caractère islamiste avant de passer à l’acte. Quelques jours plus tôt, il avait partagé les vidéos d’un salafiste et a écrit dans un post: “Éradiquez tous ceux qui sont mauvais pour l’islam”. Selon Der Tagesspiegel, il suivait également des centaines de comptes diffusant du contenu islamique sur Instagram. Sur Tiktok, il repostait presque exclusivement ce type de vidéos.

-7sur7 (Belgium)

Sweden: The Motive of Rickard Andersson Called Into Question

- Rickard Andersson-The shooter

-Aftonbladet

Earlier this month, a 35-year-old Swedish man identified as Rickard Andersson went on a shooting rampage at an adult school in the town of Örebro, Sweden. Ten people were shot to death, and Andersson committed suicide at the scene.

All indications initially were that this was a hate crime directed at immigrants who were taking Swedish language classes at the time of the attack. At this point, we only know that one of the victims was a Syrian male, another was a Bosnian female, and that seven of the dead were males. Yet, Andersson left no "manifesto" explaining his actions.

In addition, we previously posted a video taken from a cell phone of one of the survivors who was hiding in a toilet at the time of the shooting. Gunshots can clearly be heard as well as someone shouting, the contents of which were not clear. The Swedish news outlet, TV4, "enhanced" the video and concluded that it was the shooter shouting, "You (all) are going to leave Europe". That seemed to explain the motive.

Except that in the past several days, several sound experts have come forth and claimed that it was not possible for TV4 to have enhanced the audio so that the words are clear. One possible variant of the words is that someone, possibly a teacher, was telling everybody to leave. One term to refer to "everybody" in Swedish is "allihopa" while Europe is "Europa". Is it possible the speaker, possibly a teacher, was telling everybody to leave? The credibility of TV4 has been called into question. In response, TV4 is standing by its interpretation.

These questions have been raised by conservative outlets like Fria Tider and Samnytt. Fria Tider posted a letter signed by ten experts challenging TV4's interpretation. Samnytt interviewed a speech pathology professor who also had reservations.

"TV4 has wound up in a storm after its disinformation campaign that the mass murderer in Örebro reportedly shouted, 'You all are going to go away from Europe'. Now 10 experienced sound technicians have come out and demanded that TV4 explain itself-and accuse the channel of abusing their professional honor.

'"Our professional knowledge and professional honor seem to have been used as an alibi for frivolous and irresponsible click journalism,' they state."

-Fria Tider

2-12-25

"Many agree that they hear a man shouting,'You (all) are going to go away from Europe'. Others are not so sure. A media source claims for example that it is not the perpetrator who is shouting in the video, but rather a teacher who shouts, 'You should all leave' to curious students who didn't understand the serious situation."

-Samnytt

2-12-2025

In addition, while nobody is arguing about the mental instability of the shooter, there is added doubt cast upon his motive. According to reports in the media, the municipality of  Örebro had cut off Andersson's welfare payments.  The major Swedish news outlet, Aftonbladet,  reported on February 5:

 "He neither studied nor worked. The suspected mass murderer, Rickard Andersson, had no income at all in the past 10 years. According to Aftonbladet's information, he previously received economic support from the municipality. This was, however, reportedly withdrawn on the reason that the 35-year-old had not looked for a job to the extent that the employment service required."

-Aftonbladet

2-5-25

In addition, there are reports that the municipality had some sort of office and/or activity on the school's site. Could they have been the target? If so, it is also possible that Andersson felt that money that he was receiving was now being redirected to migrants? It's all up in the air.

On February 6, Fria Tider reported: 

"According to Aftonbladet, the police have a theory that it was his dissatisfaction with social welfare payments being withdrawn that caused Andersson to carry out the attack. Several employees of social services are reported to be "missing", but the municipality of  Örebro refuses to answer whether social services was operating on the school's premises."

Whatever the truth is, whatever the motive is, it was an evil and tragic incident that can never be condoned. Hopefully, this will be cleared up and the truth will come out-no matter what it is.

Car Attack in Munich

-Sueddeutsche Zeitung

On Thursday morning at about 10:30, a car was driven through a crowd of people, apparently, a union demonstration. At least 28 people have been injured some seriously. One account I have seen reports that a 2-year-old is in critical condition. The driver, a 24-year-old Afghan rejected asylum-seeker, was arrested.

-Deutsche Welle

Suspect's vehicle

-Welt

The below article from today's  Sueddeutsche Zeitung (Munich) is translated by Fousesquawk. This is only a partial translation consisting of the first paragraph seen in blue and datelined 11 minutes ago (updated).

Also note that the article states that the motive for the act is not clear!!

*Update: Hat tip Vlad Tepes and Gates of Vienna

Vlad Tepes has come up with a video on X that purportedly shows the driver being restrained by police and shouting the Shehada ("There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is his messenger".) The first line in German translates the Shehada and the second line reads, "This is what it sounds like when an Afghan mixes up the gas and the brakes." I am scouring German media, and thus far, I see no mention of this video/audio. There are numerous photos of the arrest which appear to correspond to the video, yet it appears the alleged statements by the driver were made after he was moved away from his car.

*Update: Various German news sources are identifying the driver only as Farhad N. Though his asylum request was denied, he was granted some sort of document that allowed him to remain and work in Germany.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today

11 minutes ago

What is known about the apparent attack

* On Thursday in the Munich inner city around 10:30 am, a car drove into a crowd of people at a demonstration by the Verdi union. According to police, at least 30 persons were injured, some seriously.

* The Minister-President of Bavaria, Markus Soeder (CSU), is talking of an "attack". The driver of the Mini Cooper overtook a police car at the end of the demonstration and then allegedly drove into the group of people. A shot was fired by police.

* The police arrested the driver of the car. He is reportedly a 24-year-old rejected asylum-seeker from Afghanistan, who lives in Munich. He was slightly injured but has no gunshot wounds.

* The presumed attack took place near the Stiglmaierplatz (square) at Seidlstrasse (street). The motive for the act is not clear.

The Bavarian Central Office for Extremism and Terrorism of the State Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation.

Vor 11 Minuten

Was über den mutmaßlichen Anschlag bekannt ist

• Am Donnerstag ist in der Münchner Innenstadt gegen 10.30 Uhr ein Auto bei einer Demonstration der Gewerkschaft Verdi in eine Menschenmenge gefahren. Dabei wurden laut Polizei 30 Personen teils schwerst verletzt.
• Bayerns Ministerpräsident Markus Söder (CSU) spricht von einem "Anschlag". Der Fahrer des Mini Coopers habe ein Polizeiauto am Ende des Demonstrationszugs überholt und sei dann in die Menschengruppe gefahren. Dabei fiel auch ein Schuss durch die Polizei.
• Die Polizei hat den Fahrer des Autos festgenommen. Es soll sich um einen 24 Jahre alten abgelehnten Asylbewerber aus Afghanistan handeln, der in München lebte. Er wurde leicht verletzt, hatte aber keine Schussverletzung.  
• Der mutmaßliche Anschlag ereignete sich nahe dem Stiglmaierplatz auf der Seidlstraße. Das Motiv für die Tat ist unklar. 
• Die bayerische Zentralstelle für Extremismus und Terrorismus der Generalstaatsanwaltschaft hat die Ermittlungen übernommen.