Austria: Vienna Police Guarding Churches for Possible Islamist Attack

Since this situation is on-going in Vienna, this is a partial translation of today’s, Kronen Zeitung article. Vienna police are safeguarding churches today in the face of intelligence there might be an attack against Christian, and particularly, Syrian-Christian churches in the capital. We will follow this up with the remainder of the article later today as well as a subtitled version of the video in the article. The translation is by Fousesquawk.

 https://www.krone.at/2955415

March 15, 2023 10:16 National-Vienna

Heightened presence

Terror alarm: attack danger for churches in Vienna

Increased police presence in the National capital. On Wednesday morning, Via Twitter, the State Police command reported a strengthened presence, some also with special equipment. The reason: A threatened danger of an attack against Vienna churches.

What is concrete is that there is a security alarm from the Command of the State Security and Intelligence Service  (DSN). According to Krone‘s information, the police intelligence service received a tip about a planned attack by a Syrian-Islamist terror cell.

Apparently, the threat is directed against those (Syrians) who fled the war and dictator Bashar al-Assad. According to this (information), these people were to be murdered while attending mass because they did not participate as God’s fighters in the jihad.

To provide this security, more police-local forces, WEGA and Cobra are being deployed, the police say. “With this surveillance, it is a precautionary measure, ” it was stressed.- a normal process in such scenarios.

Church in close coordination with police

However, the danger is not so high that for now, there is no need for temporary closures or cancellation of services, the Archdiocese of Vienna reports. The Catholic Church is in close contact with the police. “We know that it will be more closely controlled, ” said Michael Prueller, spokesman for the Vienna Archdiocese. Vienna’s Cathedral priest, Toni Faber, expressed gratitude to the security authorities through Kathpress (Catholic Press, Austria), “that the situation is under control and appropriate security measures have been taken.”

Insert: Police tweet

You will notice increased police forces in the city area with special equipment. The reason is there is an unspecified danger of attack against churches. We will keep you updated.