Acquittals Upheld in Vienna Case Involving Alleged Sexual Offenses Against Minor

The acquittals in a high-profile case concerning alleged sexual offenses against a twelve-year-old girl in Vienna have been confirmed and will remain legally binding. The case involved ten young men who were accused of engaging in sexual activities with the minor between March and June 2023 in the Favoriten district of Vienna.

According to the Vienna Higher Public Prosecutor's Office, no further legal action will be taken against the verdicts. After a comprehensive review of the written judgment, authorities determined that there were no formal errors in the court's decision. As a result, the office decided not to pursue any nullity complaints, a step that was supported by the relevant ministry.

The incident came to light in the spring of the previous year, although the events reportedly took place throughout early 2023. Investigations revealed that the young girl met one of the accused, with whom she allegedly exchanged affectionate gestures. Through this acquaintance, she was introduced to other young men, all of whom were familiar with each other from local parks in the area.

It was alleged that the girl, who was under the age of consent, engaged in sexual activities with several of the accused, sometimes multiple times per week. These alleged encounters reportedly occurred in various public and private locations within the tenth district of Vienna, including parks, stairwells, public restrooms, garages, and private residences. Both the girl and most of the accused resided in this district.

The Vienna public prosecutor's office brought charges against the ten young men, accusing them of offenses including violation of sexual self-determination and sexual coercion. However, in late September, a panel of lay judges found that the legal requirements for these charges were not met and subsequently acquitted all defendants.

Following the verdicts, there was significant public reaction, especially online, where the presiding judge and court officials were subjected to harsh criticism and offensive messages. The ruling generated widespread debate and led to calls for disciplinary action against the judge who headed the panel. Media outlets and social media platforms recorded numerous expressions of discontent and anger regarding the outcome.

Despite these reactions, the legal review confirmed the validity of the acquittals. The authorities reiterated that the decision not to appeal was based strictly on legal grounds, with no procedural errors identified in the original judgment. The Justice Ministry also agreed with this assessment, closing the possibility of further legal challenges in this case.

This case has highlighted ongoing discussions in Austria regarding the legal thresholds for prosecuting sexual offenses, the role of the judiciary, and the impact of public sentiment on high-profile court decisions. While the legal process has concluded, the public debate surrounding the case and its implications for both victims and the accused continues to be a subject of national attention.