Who is the Villach attacker?

The perpetrator is a 24-year-old Syrian citizen who indiscriminately stabbed young people and young men in Villach's city center on February 15, 2025. He stated that he had acted in the name of the Islamic State (IS).

Why is the verdict now final?

Both the defendant and the public prosecutor's office have waived their right to appeal. Authority spokesperson Markus Kitz confirmed that the deadline for a plea of nullity expired on Tuesday at midnight.

How many victims were there in the attack?

A 14-year-old student was killed in the attack on February 15, 2025. Five other people were injured, some of them critically.

Villach attacker: Life imprisonment final

Klagenfurt, June 02, 2026

The life sentence against the 24-year-old Syrian, who indiscriminately stabbed young people in Villach's city center on February 15, 2025, killing a 14-year-old student, is now final.

Finality of the Verdict

As authority spokesperson Markus Kitz informed APA on Tuesday morning upon request, neither the defendant nor the public prosecutor's office filed an appeal. This means the verdict, which was only handed down last Wednesday, is now formally legally binding.

The 24-year-old Syrian citizen had already waived his right to appeal immediately after the verdict was announced. The public prosecutor's office also did not object to this, Kitz said.

Verdict against Villach attacker final: Life imprisonment confirmed

Finality of the Verdict

The Attack of February 15, 2025

Trial Proceedings

Questions & Answers