Austrian authorities have arrested an 18-year-old man with Macedonian roots in the state of Styria, following suspicions of planning attacks against Western society. The Landespolizeidirektion Steiermark (Styria State Police Directorate) announced the arrest on Tuesday.
The investigation, led by the Styria State Office for Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE), was initiated following information received from an international partner agency. The suspect, residing in Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, is alleged to have researched bomb-making techniques online and maintained contact with a foreign-based Islamist terrorist organization.
Acting on prosecutorial instruction, the man was apprehended upon entering Austria on Sunday. During questioning, he attempted to downplay the intent behind any potential attack plans. He has been remanded in custody at a correctional facility pending further legal proceedings, following an order from the public prosecutor’s office. A formal request for pre-trial detention is currently under review.