Man Arrested After Bomb Threat at ORF Center in Vienna

On Tuesday morning, a 53-year-old man caused a significant disturbance by blocking the access road to the ORF Center at Küniglberg in Vienna-Hietzing with a small truck while threatening to detonate a bomb. Following this alarming incident, the individual has been placed in pre-trial detention, as confirmed by Christina Salzborn, a spokesperson for the regional court. The detention order is effective until April 9, citing concerns of potential reoffending.

Initially, authorities transported the man to a hospital for health-related reasons, as there were indications of psychological issues. However, he was later transferred to the Vienna-Josefstadt prison. According to Nina Bussek, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office, the prosecution believes that the suspect may commit further serious offenses, warranting the request for his pre-trial detention.

Charges against the man include making a qualified threat, attempted resistance against law enforcement, and property damage. The truck he rented was prominently defaced with the phrase "Kullmann Wissen Wilton Klima-Wandel ade." This reference pertains to Wilton Kullmann, an esoteric author known for his works on natural healing and radiation, including titles such as "God's Star Rays Alleviate Pain, Heal, and Rejuvenate" and "The Perfect House Disturbance: A Brief Guide for Radiestheticians."

Reports indicate that the 53-year-old has previously attempted to engage with climate activism groups, although there is currently no evidence linking him to organized movements. The State Office for Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism is actively investigating the suspect's background and the circumstances surrounding his actions. The possibility of involving a psychiatric expert to evaluate the man's mental competency is being considered by the prosecutor's office.

This individual, who had no prior criminal record, had previously parked a truck at Heldenplatz in December 2024, drawing attention to Kullmann's works. At that time, legal action against him was not pursued for criminal offenses, and he faced only administrative penalties for operating the vehicle without a valid driver's license.