44-year-old in Tyrol in pre-trial detention on suspicion of repeated drugging and rape

What investigators know so far

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) also confirmed the case. Spokesperson Heinz Holub-Friedreich said in an ORF interview that "ein Mann in Innsbruck wegen des Verdachts der Betäubung und Vergewaltigung der Lebensgefährtin sowie weiterer Personen" is in pre-trial detention. The BK is supporting the public prosecutor's office with further inquiries.

The Innsbruck public prosecutor's office has only recently been handling the case; the exact circumstances – timing, number and identity of possible further victims, as well as the type and quantity of substances used – are still being investigated. Wüstner pointed out that the interrogations of the alleged victims are still ongoing in order to further substantiate the suspicion.

The extent of the allegations is reminiscent of the internationally high-profile trial of Gisèle Pelicot in France, in which a man is said to have drugged and abused dozens of women – including his then-wife – over many years. Even if, according to the current state of affairs, the Tyrolean case only involves one proceeding and a few alleged victims, the constellation is attracting attention nationwide.

Comparison with previous proceedings

In Austria, only last year, a 43-year-old was finally sentenced to seven years in prison for secretly drugging and raping his then-partner with sleeping pills in 2014 in the district of Bruck an der Leitha. The verdict is considered one of the few cases in which a conviction for the administration of drugs in connection with sexual offences became final in Austria.

The responsible public prosecutor is now examining whether, in addition to the current partner, other persons were harmed, and whether the administration of the substances was systematic. Wüstner announced that the facts would be further investigated "mit aller Konsequenz".

According to the public prosecutor's office, the accused was transferred to the Innsbruck correctional facility after his arrest. The duty judge had to decide on the request for pre-trial detention, whereby the prerequisites – urgent suspicion of the crime as well as a risk of flight and risk of tampering with evidence – are given, according to the prosecution.

Reactions and next steps

Representatives of women's protection facilities in Tyrol demanded rapid information for possible further victims. The victim protection group of the city of Innsbruck offers advice and initial psychological support to affected persons.

According to the investigators, conclusions about the specific course of events are not possible at this point in time. The public prosecutor's office asked the media and the public to refrain from speculation in order not to jeopardize ongoing interrogations.

The investigations are ongoing. According to the authorities, first results of the interviews are expected in the coming weeks; a specific date for the filing of charges has not yet been set.

The case also casts a spotlight on the handling of drug-related sexual offences in Austria. Specialist victim protection agencies point out that such acts are often reported late, because the victims can only reconstruct the incident afterwards.