Who Killed Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand?

On 2 November 2020, a 20-year-old Austrian-Macedonian gunman killed four people and injured 23 others in downtown Vienna, Austria. The Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, described the incident as a repulsive terror attack, driven by hatred of our way of life, our democracy. The gunman, who was shot dead by the police, was identified as an Islamist terrorist and an Islamic State sympathiser. He had previously been convicted of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State. In the days following the attack, Austrian security forces carried out raids against alleged Islamist extremists.

The Vienna shooting was carried out by a 20-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin

On November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old Austrian of North Macedonian origin, Kujtim Fejzulai, carried out a series of shootings in Vienna, Austria, killing four people and injuring 23 others. Fejzulai was an Islamic State sympathizer and had dual citizenship in Austria and North Macedonia. He was born in Austria and raised in Vienna, with roots in North Macedonia.

Fejzulai was previously known to the Austrian authorities for trying to reach Syria to join the Islamic State. In April 2019, he was sentenced to 22 months in prison for this offense but was granted early release in December 2019 after serving only eight months of his sentence. Despite undergoing a deradicalization program, Fejzulai managed to fool the justice system and obtain early release.

The shooting took place at six locations in the busy city center of Vienna, just hours before a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was to be imposed. Fejzulai was armed with a rifle, a handgun, and a machete, and was wearing a fake explosive belt. He targeted civilians outside cafes and restaurants, killing an elderly woman, an elderly man, a young male passerby, and a waitress.

The attack was swiftly condemned by European leaders, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who offered their support to Austria. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the attack as a "repulsive terror attack" driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy." He emphasized that the nation's battle was not between Christians and Muslims but between civilization and barbarism.

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack, calling Fejzulai a "soldier of the caliphate." However, it was unclear if IS had a direct role in planning the attack. Austrian authorities conducted raids and made several arrests in the aftermath of the shooting, working with international counterparts to identify and arrest the attacker's associates.

The shooting had a significant impact on the local community, with Jewish community leader Oskar Deutsch noting that the main synagogue was closed at the time of the attack. Still, concerns were raised about the potential targeting of the Jewish community. As a precaution, all synagogues, Jewish schools, and institutions were closed the following day. Additionally, two mosques in Vienna were closed due to their contribution to the radicalization of the attacker and their frequent use by Islamists.

Four people were killed and 23 injured in the attack

On the evening of November 2, 2020, a terrorist attack took place in Vienna, Austria, resulting in four fatalities and 23 injured victims. The attack occurred at approximately 8 pm local time, with the gunman targeting six locations in the city centre, including the area surrounding the Austrian capital's main synagogue. The victims who lost their lives in the attack included an elderly woman, an elderly man, a young male passer-by, and a waitress.

The assailant, a 20-year-old male, was identified as an "Islamist terrorist" with both Austrian and Macedonian citizenship. He had previously been convicted of attempting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State (IS) and was released early from a 22-month prison sentence in December 2019. During the attack, the gunman was wearing a fake explosive belt and was armed with an automatic rifle, a pistol, and a machete.

The terrorist attack caused widespread panic and chaos in the city centre, with eyewitnesses describing how the gunman opened fire on people outside bars and chased them as they fled inside. The Austrian police responded swiftly, and the perpetrator was neutralised by the special forces within minutes of the attack. However, the damage had already been done, and the attack left a lasting impact on the nation.

In the aftermath of the attack, Austria's political leaders honoured the victims, and the nation observed three days of national mourning. Flags flew at half-mast, and a minute's silence was held to remember those who lost their lives. The Austrian government also submitted draft counterterrorism legislation to Parliament to strengthen existing laws and improve the country's ability to prevent and respond to such incidents in the future.

The gunman had previously been convicted of trying to travel to Syria to join ISIS

On the evening of November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old gunman killed four people and injured 23 others in downtown Vienna, Austria. The Austrian-North Macedonian dual citizen had previously been convicted of attempting to join the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. The attacker, identified as Kujtim Fejzulai, was sentenced to 22 months in prison in April 2019 but was granted early release in December of that year. Austrian authorities described the incident as an "Islamist terror attack" and a "hate attack".

Fejzulai was armed with a fake explosive vest, an automatic rifle, a handgun, and a machete. He opened fire at six locations in the city centre, targeting people outside bars and restaurants. The attack took place on the last night before a month-long coronavirus lockdown in Austria, with many people enjoying drinks and dining out before the restrictions came into effect.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz acknowledged that the attacker's early release from prison in 2019 was a "mistake". He had been convicted of a failed attempt to travel to Syria to join ISIS and was granted early release under more lenient terms for young adults. In response to the attack, Kurz emphasised that it was driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy".

Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer stated that the deceased gunman had been radicalised by ISIS and sympathised with the group. Nehammer also confirmed that Fejzulai had a criminal record and a previous conviction under a law that punishes membership in a terrorist organisation.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, referring to the perpetrator as a "soldier of the Caliphate". However, Austrian police continued their investigations to determine whether there were any other attackers involved. The attack caused tension in Vienna, with residents urged to stay at home and children advised to stay away from school.

The Austrian government announced three days of national mourning

The Austrian Government Announces Three Days of National Mourning

A Repulsive Terror Attack

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the incident as a "repulsive terror attack", driven by "hatred of our way of life [and] our democracy". He emphasised that the nation was engaged in a battle "between civilisation and barbarism", rather than between Christians and Muslims. Chancellor Kurz also provided details about the victims, who included an elderly woman, an elderly man, a young male passer-by, and a waitress.

An Islamist Terrorist Attack

Interior Minister Karl Nehammer characterised the assailant, a 20-year-old man with Austrian and Macedonian citizenship, as an "Islamist terrorist" and an Islamic State sympathiser. The attacker had previously been convicted of attempting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State and had been released early from a 22-month prison sentence in December 2019. The Austrian government's announcement of national mourning reflected the gravity of the tragedy and served as a testament to the country's resilience in the face of terrorism.

International Condemnation and Support

The attack in Vienna prompted widespread condemnation from world leaders. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed deep shock, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasised the shared struggle against Islamist terrorism. French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the need for Europe to remain strong and resilient. The United States President, Joe Biden, also condemned the attack, calling it a "horrific terrorist attack" and emphasising the importance of standing united against hate and violence.

Strengthening Counterterrorism Efforts

In response to the attack, the Austrian government proposed strengthening counterterrorism legislation. The proposed changes included criminalising "religiously motivated extremist associations", establishing a registry of convicted terrorists, expanding the ban on symbols associated with violent extremist groups, and enhancing monitoring of extremist mosques and their financing. These measures aimed to bolster Austria's ability to prevent and respond to future terrorist threats, demonstrating the government's commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding its values of democracy and civilisation.

The attack came hours before Austria imposed new national restrictions to curb rising COVID-19 cases

On the evening of November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old Austrian-Macedonian man carried out a terrorist attack in Vienna, Austria, killing four people and wounding 22 others. The attacker, who was shot and killed by the police, was identified as an "Islamist terrorist" who had previously been convicted of trying to reach Syria to join the Islamic State (IS). The attack took place at six locations in the city centre, including the area near Vienna's central synagogue, and targeted people outside bars and restaurants.

The Austrian government responded to the attack by imposing a midnight curfew as part of new national restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. The country also announced three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and a minute's silence held at midday. Schools observed a minute's silence for the victims on the following morning.

In the aftermath of the attack, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described it as an act of "hatred of our way of life, our democracy". He emphasized that the nation was engaged in a battle between "civilization and barbarism", not between Christians and Muslims. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer urged Austrians to stay at home during the police operation and avoid the inner city. Authorities worked with their counterparts in Switzerland, Germany, and other countries to identify and arrest any associates of the attacker.

The attack in Vienna came at a time when Europe was facing a spate of Islamist militant attacks. The month before, French history teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded outside a school in France, and a Tunisian man fatally stabbed three people in a cathedral in Nice. European leaders strongly condemned the shooting in Vienna, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressing deep shock and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirming the fight against Islamist terrorism.

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