An Afghan man has been arrested in Austria after allegedly attempting to cut off his girlfriend’s nipple with a knife and is also facing a rape allegation, according to Austrian media.

The incident is reported to have taken place in mid-May in the city of St. Pölten, where the 28-year-old Afghan national allegedly attacked his partner, who is also Afghan, inside their apartment. He is now being held in pretrial detention and has reportedly made a partial confession.

According to Kronen Zeitung, the couple became involved in a domestic dispute that escalated into violence when the suspect allegedly armed himself with a knife and attempted to sever one of the woman’s nipples. The attack is said to have been partially successful, leaving the victim seriously injured.

The woman managed to escape from the apartment and flee to a neighbor’s home, where emergency services were contacted.

She was subsequently treated in hospital while police arrested the suspect.

In addition to assault charges, Der Status reported that prosecutors are also pursuing a rape allegation against the man.

The case has sparked political reaction in Austria, with FPÖ Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer describing it as “the result of imported violence from Afghanistan and other Muslim countries.”

Landbauer argued that the attack demonstrated what he called the failure of the country’s integration policy, adding, “In such a case, the question of integration is no longer relevant; such people have no place in Austria. This is a classic case for remigration.”

He also called on the federal government to tighten asylum policy, saying, “What more has to happen before Interior Minister Karner finally pulls the emergency brake on asylum seekers and ensures that not a single new asylum seeker enters the country? Enough is enough – too many women and children have already fallen victim to the unrestrained welcoming policy.”