Two Algerian men are facing trial in the Vienna Regional Court for the brutal assault of two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, whom they allegedly lured into an abandoned building, drugged, and raped at gunpoint.
The indictment, spanning seven pages, details the ordeal endured by the victims, with the accused facing up to ten years in prison if convicted.
The events unfolded during Austria’s national holiday on Oct. 26 last year when the suspects approached the teenagers, inviting them to a party. Shortly after midnight, the girls entered a taxi with them, only to be taken to an abandoned office complex in Vienna’s 20th district — an area reportedly used as an illegal asylum shelter and drug den.
According to the indictment by the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, once the girls arrived, the older one was forcibly dragged inside. Her younger friend followed, only to be subjected to threats and forced drug use. The prosecution states: “The defendants administered various debilitating substances to the two minors,” a fact later confirmed by blood tests. The victims reported being forced to swallow ecstasy tablets under the threat of death.
The 31-year-old first defendant allegedly raped the 15-year-old, telling her that no one would hear her screams and threatening to kill her if she resisted. Medical examinations later confirmed strangulation marks, bruises, and scratches consistent with her testimony.
“Since it was obvious to the 14-year-old that the first defendant sexually assaulted her friend, she contacted the police emergency number and stated that she or her friend had just been raped at a party,” the prosecution stated, as cited by Kronen Zeitung.
However, she was unable to provide her exact location, and attempts to trace her call were unsuccessful.
Shortly after, the suspect allegedly turned his attention to the younger girl, attacking her at gunpoint so violently that she suffered a bruised rib. The second defendant, aged 24, is accused of aiding in the rape and coercion.
It wasn’t until the following afternoon that the severely impaired teenagers managed to escape and contact authorities again.
The two suspects have denied all allegations. The 31-year-old claims he did not engage in any sexual activity, while the 24-year-old insists he was asleep throughout the ordeal. However, DNA evidence contradicts their statements, linking them to the crimes.
The trial begins on Wednesday in Vienna.