34 days after the gruesome death of 13-year-old Leonie in a Vienna flat, her fourth alleged tormentor was caught – some 1500 kilometres away from the crime scene in a small hotel in East London. The Afghan had fled across Europe by train. And he probably did so with the support of the community.
For weeks, the investigators of Federal Criminal Police Office Director Andreas Holzer were hot on his heels – now, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police, the police arrested him in an eastern district of London. In a small cheap hotel in a neighbourhood popular within the Afghan scene.
According to the newspaper “Krone”, the 22-year-old had first taken a train via Tyrol to Italy, from where he continued his journey to France. They were also hot on his trail in Belgium, but he probably did not stay there for too long.
According to initial findings, the Afghan had returned to the north of France. To finally flee from the notorious port city of Calais – a hotspot for illegal crossings – onwards to the British Isle. By train or car across the English Channel. Investigators assume that he had support from the Afghan community on his flight across Europe.
Meanwhile, the domestic judiciary is now fighting for the extradition of the suspect. Which is now “somewhat more complicated” after Brexit and the end of the transitional period as of January 1. The EU arrest warrant no longer applies and must be “adapted” for the British. And this had to be done in a rush: the “special form” had to be sent within 48 hours after the arrest.
Incidentally, the lawyer of the victim’s family has now announced an official civil liability lawsuit against the Republic of Austria.