Austria: Syrian refugee with criminal record accused of raping 16-year-old and filming crime

In Vienna, a Syrian man is alleged to have raped a girl who was only 16 years old at the time of the crime while simultaneously recording the act on video. The incident reportedly occurred in May of last year in an apartment but was only reported later. According to the information available so far, the victim was lured to the apartment under false pretenses. There, an attack involving multiple men is said to have taken place.

Investigators are also exploring the suspicion that the incident was recorded and that the victim may have been subsequently blackmailed with the video.

The Syrian allegedly has a prior criminal record

The young woman filed a complaint months later after reportedly encountering one of the alleged perpetrators again. Subsequently, a 19-year-old man was arrested. An investigation is underway against him, including suspicion of rape. According to media reports, the accused is Syrian and entitled to subsidiary protection.

A related procedure to revoke the protection status has been initiated. The migrant is said to already have a prior criminal record for similar offenses. The search for other possible suspects continues. The investigations are being conducted by the Vienna State Police Department.