Austrian court sentences Syrian to life in prison for deadly knife attack

An Austrian court sentenced a 24-year-old Kurdish Syrian refugee to life in prison on Wednesday for a deadly knife attack in the southern town of Villach last year, after a jury found him guilty of all charges including murder and terrorism offences.



The defendant, who has not been named, was arrested moments after killing a 14-year-old boy and wounding five other people with a jackknife in February 2025. He admitted carrying out the attack and swearing allegiance to Islamic State.



The prosecution told the court in the city of Klagenfurt he underwent "lightning radicalisation" on TikTok, surprising even his own brother, media at the trial said.



Asked by the presiding judge through an interpreter whether he would commit the crime again if given the opportunity, the defendant nodded, media including national broadcaster ORF and news agency APA reported.



The eight-person jury unanimously found him guilty of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and terrorism-related offences. He indicated he did not plan to appeal.