Man in Vienna-Hietzing: Ex-boyfriend threatens 26-year-old with a knife and holds her captive for hours

A 25-year-old man is said to have overpowered his former partner in Vienna-Hietzing on Friday, held her captive in her apartment for several hours, and threatened her with a kitchen knife with death. According to police, the Austrian did not want to accept the breakup from the start.

Allegations of violence from the relationship

He wanted to force the woman to resume their relationship, police reported on Saturday. During her interrogation, the 26-year-old also stated that acts of violence had allegedly occurred repeatedly during the relationship.

Around 9:00 a.m., the frightened woman managed to get her mobile phone back — which the suspect had initially taken from her — and place an emergency call unnoticed. The woman was ultimately able to place an emergency call without being noticed. Officers from the Preindlgasse police station provisionally arrested the suspect in the apartment shortly thereafter.

Emergency call and arrest

The suspect was arrested and then, on the orders of the public prosecutor's office, reported on release. On the orders of the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office, the 25-year-old was reported on release on suspicion of trespassing, deprivation of liberty, aggravated coercion, and property damage.

A restraining and no-contact order as well as a provisional weapons ban were imposed on the man. These are intended to prevent further contact with the woman and access to weapons for the time being.

Legal consequences and protective measures

The police pointed out that tips from the affected person's surroundings or suspicious observations around residential properties can be reported at any time via the emergency number 133. Victim protection organizations are also available to provide advice to affected individuals.

The case is part of a series of incidents in which women in Vienna have been threatened or injured by ex-partners. Only a few weeks ago, an attempted homicide in a relationship context had occurred in another city.