Austrian police have launched an investigation into a disturbing case involving the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl by a group of individuals, most of whom are minors. The investigation centers around 17 suspects, with 12 of them falling between the ages of 14 and 18, one aged 19, and two below the age of criminal responsibility in Austria. The remaining two suspects have unidentified identities and come from various national backgrounds including Austrian, Turkish, Syrian, Italian, Bulgarian, and Serbian.
The suspects are facing allegations of serious sexual abuse of a minor and the pornographic depiction of a minor. The reported offenses are said to have occurred between February and June 2023 at different locations in Vienna, such as garages and perpetrators' apartments. According to investigators, force was allegedly used in one instance, while in others, the victim was coerced into sexual acts through verbal pressure.
The case came to light when the victim and her mother reported the incidents to authorities in October. Following an extensive investigation, the 13 known suspects aged 14 and above were questioned, with some admitting to the accusations while others denied them. One suspect was even arrested for resisting officers during the questioning process. Investigators are currently examining the contents of the suspects' cellphones as part of the ongoing investigation.
