Vienna court hands down 10-year sentence as separate case sees three British nationals detained in Croatia for alleged sexual assault
A 22-year-old Syrian national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the brutal rape and robbery of a British tourist in Vienna’s iconic Prater amusement park, a court ruled on Thursday.
The 43-year-old victim, who testified via video link from the UK, told the Vienna Regional Court how he was attacked whilst walking back to his hotel after leaving the Prater Dome nightclub in July 2024. The assault occurred near the park’s famous ferris wheel in the early hours of the morning.
Judge Eva Brandstetter dismissed the defendant’s claims of consensual contact as “an implausible defence,” noting that the accused, identified only as A. in court proceedings, initially denied any involvement until confronted with forensic evidence.
“The defendant initially denied everything, even being present at the Prater that night,” Judge Brandstetter stated. “Only when presented with irrefutable DNA evidence did he change his story.”
The Syrian national’s defence collapsed when forensic analysis revealed the British tourist’s DNA in his mouth. After this discovery, A. claimed the sexual contact was consensual and that two unknown assailants had appeared and robbed them both.
The victim provided harrowing testimony, describing how he was “extremely intoxicated” and struggling to find his hotel when the defendant approached him. He said he was forced onto a bench and compelled to perform oral sex before being beaten to the ground and robbed of his phone and backpack.
“I was in no state to consent to anything,” the victim told the court. “I was attacked, violated, and then robbed whilst barely conscious.”
The defendant’s argument that the act must have been consensual because “he could have bitten me” was firmly rejected by the court. Prosecutors noted the victim’s vulnerable state due to intoxication made resistance impossible.
Austrian authorities confirmed the defendant had already been convicted of two separate robbery offences committed after the July incident, receiving a two-year partially suspended sentence. These convictions were taken into account during sentencing.
The court ordered A. to pay £1,483.50 (€1,700) towards the victim’s therapy costs. The defendant has appealed the verdict, meaning the sentence is not yet legally binding.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about tourist safety in European cities. Vienna’s Prater district, whilst popular with visitors for its historic amusement park and vibrant nightlife, has seen increased police patrols following several incidents.
“Tourists should remain vigilant, particularly when leaving entertainment venues late at night,” a spokesperson for the Vienna Tourist Board advised. We recommend using licensed taxis or travelling in groups when possible.
The sentencing comes as Croatian authorities detained three British nationals on suspicion of raping a 28-year-old local woman in the coastal city of Split. The alleged attack occurred between 5am and 7am on Tuesday in a seaside hotel.
Split County Court ordered one-month pre-trial detention for the three suspects, two of whom are originally from Kosovo, according to Croatian broadcaster HRT. Police arrested one suspect at the scene whilst the other two were apprehended shortly afterwards.
The victim immediately reported the case to police, who managed to arrest one of the suspects at the scene,” Croatian authorities confirmed. The men face between six months and 10 years in prison under Croatian law if convicted.
Local media reported that the victim had met the suspects at the popular Matejuška location before agreeing to accompany them to a hotel room. She managed to free herself and alert a friend, who contacted police.
The investigating judge cited flight risk as the reason for pre-trial detention. Croatian police indicated they believe the attack may have been premeditated based on initial interrogations.
The Foreign Office told reporters it “had not been approached for assistance” regarding the Croatia case, whilst consular officials in Vienna confirmed they provided support to the British victim throughout the Austrian proceedings.
Both cases underscore the importance of tourist safety measures across European destinations. The UK Foreign Office maintains comprehensive guidance for British nationals who become victims of crime abroad, including specialised support for sexual assault cases.
Austria’s Federation of Autonomous Women’s Counselling Centres and Men’s Advice Victim Support offer emergency assistance and counselling for assault victims. Similar services exist across EU member states, with many offering support in English.
The Vienna case marks another conviction in Austria’s efforts to combat sexual violence. The country has strengthened penalties for sexual offences in recent years and improved support services for victims, including the option to testify via video link from abroad.
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Image Credit:
Polizei (BP-91300) – Photo by antoniovera1, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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