Austrian intelligence services busted an Islamist cell

The Office of State Security and Intelligence of Austria, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies of the country, identified a cell of 10 Islamists who are suspected of membership in Islamic State (IS) and Caucasus Emirate terrorist groups. This was stated in a press release from the Austrian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which includes the intelligence service.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the suspects are nine men and one woman aged from 15 to 23 years. In July, searches were carried out in their places of residence and their phones, laptops and terrorist propaganda materials were confiscated. Intelligence services believe that the Islamists were recruiting supporters and spreading narratives, and intended to build a prayer room with a Taliban flag. The cell was based in the city of Linz.

According to Die Presse, some of the suspects have Austrian citizenship. The rest come from Turkey, Iraq, Russia and Croatia. The group is also suspected of inciting a 19-year-old boy who had previously sentenced to two years in prison for creating pro-IS graffiti.