Austria: During Syrian demonstration in Vienna, ‘mentally ill’ man smashes cathedral’s glass door

The claim that this man is psychotic would be easier to believe if mental illness weren’t so frequently invoked in clear cases of jihad activity. The presence of Syrians in the area and Islam’s animus toward Christianity also lead one to suspect that more is going on here than authorities are letting on.

“Hammer attack on St. Stephen’s Cathedral,” translated from “Hammer-Anschlag auf den Stephansdom,” Kronen Zeitung, August 27, 2023 (thanks to Medforth):

On the sidelines of a Syrian demonstration, a glass door to St. Stephen’s Cathedral was also smashed on Sunday evening. The man was arrested – the background is still unclear.

Several demonstrations paralyzed downtown Vienna on Sunday evening. Ukrainians marched around the Ring and Syrians demonstrated against the Assad regime on Stephansplatz. On the fringes of this demo, there was also an attack on St. Stephen’s Cathedral. A man armed with two hammers smashed the new glass door at the Singertor.

The police, who were already present in large numbers, were able to arrest the man immediately when he left the cathedral vestibule. The police did not want to reveal their age or nationality when asked by “Krone.” However, the man is likely to suffer from a psychosis, he was admitted – a connection with the demo is therefore unlikely.

Cathedral priest Toni Faber wants to make sure personally on Monday whether there is any further damage beyond the glass door. The “Krone” reached the head of the cathedral shortly before his return flight abroad: “Of course we are appalled. The church master has already lodged a complaint and a provisional solution was found together with the fire brigade.”

Explosive: Behind the glass door are valuable reliefs and sculptures that have only just been restored. Previously there was a heavy metal door at this point.