- Rabat – Austrian authorities have arrested an Austrian citizen suspected of links to the terrorist group ISIS and of planning large-scale attacks in Austria, officials said.
The arrest was carried out with the support of Morocco’s General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
Austria’s State Secretary for the Protection of the Constitution, Jörg Leichtfried, and the Director General for Public Security, Franz Ruf, commended the DGST for its valuable assistance. The two officials thanked the Moroccan security service for its contribution to the case, according to a statement from the Austrian Interior Ministry.
The ministry said that cooperation between Austria’s Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence and Morocco’s DGST was “particularly decisive” in the success of the investigation, stressing the importance of international coordination in fighting terrorism.
According to Austrian authorities, the investigation revealed signs of concrete attack plans, with security forces in Austria believed to be among the main targets.
During a search of the suspect’s home, police seized several electronic devices containing ISIS propaganda material. Authorities also found videos made by the suspect, including one in which he appears to pledge allegiance to the terrorist group.
Officials said the analysis of the seized material is still ongoing and that the investigation remains open.