Two Acquitted Teens in Custody Following Alleged Robbery in Vienna

Two young men who were previously acquitted of sexual abuse charges involving a twelve-year-old girl are currently being held in pre-trial detention at the Vienna-Josefstadt detention facility. Authorities suspect that the individuals, aged 17 and 21, participated in a robbery that reportedly took place in a garage in Vienna earlier this year.

According to legal representatives, law enforcement linked the suspects to the alleged robbery after forensic analysis identified their DNA at the crime scene. Investigators believe the incident occurred in early June and that the suspects, accompanied by other unidentified individuals, stole between 3,000 and 4,000 euros. The exact classification of the crime--whether it constitutes robbery or aggravated robbery--remains under evaluation by the authorities.

The Vienna Regional Court approved a motion from the public prosecutor's office to impose pre-trial detention on the two suspects, citing risks of additional offenses and potential interference with the ongoing investigation. Detention measures have been confirmed as effective until the beginning of December, pending further proceedings.

Legal representatives for the younger suspect, aged 17, stated that a full account of the alleged robbery is not yet available, as they are scheduled to meet with their client during the week. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the precise circumstances and roles of those involved in the incident. Other suspects implicated in the crime have not yet been publicly identified or apprehended.

Authorities emphasized that this latest case appears to be unrelated to the earlier legal proceedings involving the twelve-year-old girl. In the previous case, ten young men faced charges related to sexual misconduct and coercion, with all defendants ultimately acquitted in September. The verdicts in the high-profile sexual abuse case sparked considerable public debate and criticism, particularly targeting the presiding judge and the legal system.

Following the acquittals, the court and its officials received a significant volume of critical and, at times, hostile feedback from the public, including strong reactions on social media and direct communications demanding disciplinary action against the judiciary. Despite the controversy surrounding the previous trial, authorities maintain that the current investigation into the alleged robbery is being conducted independently and without influence from prior events.

The judicial process will continue as investigators collect further evidence and clarify the involvement of each suspect. The two detainees remain in custody as the investigation proceeds, with their legal status subject to ongoing judicial review.