Three teenagers allegedly extorted and abused a 13-year-old in Linz for five months

According to police, the violence escalated multiple times. "Die jugendlichen Täter" allegedly resorted to a machete, which they held to the victim's throat, and tormented him with an electroshocker to back up their demands. "Um den Forderungen Nachdruck zu verleihen, griffen die Peiniger zu einer Machete, die sie ihm an den Hals hielten oder traktierten ihn mit einem Elektroschocker", the police added. A machete is said to have been held to the teenager's throat.

Both 15-year-olds are said to have repeatedly pressured the schoolboy and partly threatened him with death. "soll er das Opfer immer wieder erpresst und zum Teil auch mit dem Tod bedroht haben", the police reported in a press release. "Um den Druck aufrechtzuerhalten, sollen ihn die Täter unter anderem mit dem Tod bedroht haben." The alleged perpetrators are said to have repeatedly forced the boy to hand over money and valuables.

Report Leads to Investigations

The trigger for the investigations was the 13-year-old's report. "Der 13-Jährige erstattete schließlich Anzeige, die umfangreiche Ermittlungen des Kriminalreferates des Stadtpolizeikommandos Linz nach sich zogen". After the victim's report, criminal investigators launched extensive investigations and arrested two main suspects. "Ermittler des Kriminalreferats des Stadtpolizeikommandos Linz haben eine Serie schwerer Erpressungsdelikte zum Nachteil eines 13-jährigen Burschen aufgeklärt."

The Incident at the Grünmarkt

During the investigations, another incident also came to light. "Gemeinsam mit einem 16-jährigen Linzer sollen die Jugendlichen den Burschen nach einem gescheiterten Erpressungsversuch bis zu seiner Wohnadresse begleitet haben". After another attempted extortion at the Linz Grünmarkt allegedly failed, the teenagers reportedly went together with the victim to his home address. "Die beiden 15-Jährigen sollen gemeinsam mit einem 16-Jährigen Linzer nach einem erfolglosen Erpressungsversuch den 13-Jährigen am Sonntag vor einer Woche zu dessen Wohnadresse begleitet haben".

At the home address, the 16-year-old is said to have repeatedly punched the 13-year-old and, when he fell to the ground, additionally kicked him. "Dort soll ihm der Älteste des Trios mehrmals ins Gesicht geschlagen und später den am Boden liegenden Schüler mit Fußtritten traktiert haben". The teenager was then allegedly ordered to get cash from his parents' apartment. Since no money was available, he out of fear eventually handed over three perfumes to the perpetrators.

"Weil das Kind in der elterlichen Wohnung kein Bargeld finden konnte, übergab der Bursch aus Angst vor weiteren Attacken den jugendlichen Kriminellen drei Parfüms". Out of fear of further assaults, the victim repeatedly gave in to the alleged perpetrators' demands. "Aus Angst vor weiteren Angriffen übergab das Opfer schließlich drei Parfüms". The incidents spanned a period of around five months, according to police.

Main Suspect Arrested

The main accused is a 15-year-old Syrian from Linz. "die weiteren Erhebungen führten schließlich zu einem 15-jährigen Syrer aus Linz, der als mutmaßlicher Hauptbeschuldigter gilt". By court order, the teenager was arrested on July 9. "Er wurde am vergangenen Donnerstag festgenommen und in das Polizeianhaltezentrum Linz eingeliefert". He immediately confessed.

"Laut Polizei zeigte er sich unmittelbar nach seiner Festnahme geständig". The teenager was initially taken to the Linz Police Detention Center. On July 5, the two 15-year-olds together with the 16-year-old from Linz allegedly attacked the 13-year-old. "Gemeinsam mit einem 16-jährigen Linzer sollen die beiden 15-Jährigen den 13-Jährigen am 5. Juli überfallen haben".

Second 15-Year-Old in Custody

On the same day, investigators also arrested the second 15-year-old, who was taken to the Wels correctional facility. "Gemeinsam mit einem gleichaltrigen Afghanen aus Wels, der ebenfalls noch am selben Tag festgenommen wurde". His accomplice was taken to the Wels correctional facility. "Sein Komplize wurde in die Welser Justizanstalt eingeliefert".

Open Questions and Presumption of Innocence

Investigations are also being conducted against the 16-year-old from Linz. "Inwieweit der 16-Jährige auch an den Erpressungen beteiligt war, muss von den Ermittlern noch geklärt werden". Whether the 16-year-old from Linz was also involved in the extortion that lasted for months is still the subject of ongoing investigations, according to police. "Er wurde angezeigt". A report has been filed against him.

During the investigations, a robbery and a theft were also attributed to the suspects, according to police. "Im Zuge der Ermittlungen klärten die Kriminalisten auch einen Raub und einen Diebstahl auf". Police were able to arrest two 15-year-olds, and investigations are also being conducted against another teenager. "Die Polizei konnte zwei 15-Jährige festnehmen, gegen einen weiteren Jugendlichen wird ebenfalls ermittelt".

The investigations are ongoing. "Die Ermittlungen laufen weiter". The case is being classified as a brutal case of juvenile crime in Linz. "Ein Fall von brutaler Jugendkriminalität sorgt in Linz für Aufsehen". The presumption of innocence applies to all. "Für alle gilt die Unschuldsvermutung."

The authorities emphasize that the investigations have not yet been concluded. Further details about the exact course of events and the possible role of the 16-year-old are to be clarified in the coming weeks. The public prosecutor's office is also reviewing what further consequences should be drawn from the incidents.

Victim protection and youth welfare services are involved, according to investigators, to care for the 13-year-old and his family. Police recommend that those affected and their relatives contact the nearest police station immediately in the event of similar incidents. APA reported on 12.7.2026 citing the police press release. "(APA, red, 12.7.2026)".