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Two men arrested in Austria over shooting of ‘Chechen refugee’, sparking media speculation of ‘contract killing’ | |
(32 minutes later) | |
At least one Russian citizen has been detained in Austria as part of a probe into the fatal shooting of his countryman, who was an asylum seeker, sparking media speculation of a politically motivated contract killing. | |
The incident took place on Saturday evening in the parking lot in the small town of Gerasdorf, north of Vienna. | The incident took place on Saturday evening in the parking lot in the small town of Gerasdorf, north of Vienna. |
A 43-year-old male asylum seeker, believed to be originally from Russia’s southern republic of Chechnya, was shot in the head. He died on site, according to police. | A 43-year-old male asylum seeker, believed to be originally from Russia’s southern republic of Chechnya, was shot in the head. He died on site, according to police. |
The suspected attacker fled the scene, sparking a massive manhunt involving dozens of police cars and a helicopter. Two of Austria’s special police forces units, Cobra and Wega, were engaged in the operation. | The suspected attacker fled the scene, sparking a massive manhunt involving dozens of police cars and a helicopter. Two of Austria’s special police forces units, Cobra and Wega, were engaged in the operation. |
Eventually, the alleged shooter was located in the northern city of Linz late on Saturday and surrendered to police without offering resistance. He was identified as a Russian citizen and apparently also of Chechen origin. The man reportedly had a criminal record and was known to police. | Eventually, the alleged shooter was located in the northern city of Linz late on Saturday and surrendered to police without offering resistance. He was identified as a Russian citizen and apparently also of Chechen origin. The man reportedly had a criminal record and was known to police. |
The police have so far only confirmed that both the victim and the suspect are Russian citizens. | The police have so far only confirmed that both the victim and the suspect are Russian citizens. |
Another man, also believed to be a Chechen, was detained in connection with the case on Sunday, a spokesman for the Korneuburg Regional Court, Wolfgang Schuster-Kramer, told Austrian media, without giving further details. | Another man, also believed to be a Chechen, was detained in connection with the case on Sunday, a spokesman for the Korneuburg Regional Court, Wolfgang Schuster-Kramer, told Austrian media, without giving further details. |
So far, police have given no indication of a possible motive for the killing. The probe has been taken over by the regional police anti-terrorist unit. | So far, police have given no indication of a possible motive for the killing. The probe has been taken over by the regional police anti-terrorist unit. |
Meanwhile, Austrian media have alleged that the victim, identified by the authorities only as Martin B, was a Chechen known as “Anzor of Vienna,” who was a video “blogger” and a critic of the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. | Meanwhile, Austrian media have alleged that the victim, identified by the authorities only as Martin B, was a Chechen known as “Anzor of Vienna,” who was a video “blogger” and a critic of the Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. |
Some reports claim that the shooting may have been a contract killing with a political motive. However, the Austrian authorities have given no information to support such theories. | Some reports claim that the shooting may have been a contract killing with a political motive. However, the Austrian authorities have given no information to support such theories. |
There are also allegations that the killing might have been a car sale gone wrong. | There are also allegations that the killing might have been a car sale gone wrong. |
The incident appears to be loosely reminiscent of a high-profile case in which another former Chechen militant was shot dead in Berlin. | The incident appears to be loosely reminiscent of a high-profile case in which another former Chechen militant was shot dead in Berlin. |
The German authorities linked that murder to Moscow, expelling two diplomats over the case and sparking a diplomatic row with Russia. The Kremlin denied it had anything to do with the killing. | The German authorities linked that murder to Moscow, expelling two diplomats over the case and sparking a diplomatic row with Russia. The Kremlin denied it had anything to do with the killing. |
In the wake of the dispute, President Vladimir Putin described the man as a “murderous terrorist” who may have had many enemies. | In the wake of the dispute, President Vladimir Putin described the man as a “murderous terrorist” who may have had many enemies. |
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |