Seven teenagers are standing trial in Vienna, Austria, accused of raping, blackmailing, and terrorizing a 29-year-old teacher over several months. The defendants, aged between 14 and 17, are also charged with burglary and arson after allegedly breaking into the woman’s apartment and setting it ablaze.
The case began after the teacher entered into a relationship with a 16-year-old former student in April 2024. The boy, no longer in her class, had contacted her through Instagram, and they met several times. Prosecutors ruled out any abuse of authority, noting that the student was “sexually self-determined” and that the encounters were consensual.
However, the relationship led to a sustained campaign of intimidation and abuse. In May 2024, the teenager invited friends to a party at his home, including a 15-year-old Iraqi and a 17-year-old Romanian. After discovering the affair, the two allegedly threatened to expose the teacher and release compromising photos taken in her apartment.
According to prosecutors cited by Kurier, the 15-year-old Iraqi was the main instigator and used threats to control the woman. “He threatened to publish photos taken during a meeting in her apartment,” the prosecution said. The teacher was reportedly terrified of him and went on sick leave at the start of the 2024 school year due to psychological distress.
In November 2024, the teenagers allegedly sexually assaulted the teacher on her balcony and filmed the act. The group then used the recordings to blackmail the woman for months. They demanded money for drugs, alcohol, and the use of her apartment for parties, while continuing to abuse her. Her lawyer noted that a psychiatric report found she suffered from chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the assaults.
The three main defendants — a 15-year-old Iraqi, a 17-year-old Romanian, and a 15-year-old Afghan — are charged with rape, sexual abuse of a defenseless person, and aggravated extortion. All three are in pre-trial detention. Four other boys, including the teacher’s former lover, face lesser charges such as theft and complicity.
Prosecutors believe some of the defendants were involved with the so-called “Liesinger Gang,” a youth group in Vienna’s Liesing district said to have up to 80 members. One of the accused denied it was a criminal organization, saying they simply met to socialize.
The abuse culminated in a break-in and arson attack in January 2025. Prosecutors say the 15-year-old Iraqi, the 15-year-old Afghan, and a 14-year-old accomplice used a hammer to break through a window in the victim’s apartment, stole jewelry, watches, and other valuables, and then set the premises on fire.
During the investigation into the fire, police uncovered evidence of the sexual assaults and ongoing blackmail, leading to the arrests of all seven suspects. The teacher’s former student later admitted to stealing €800 from her but denied taking part in the later crimes, claiming he had “only told two friends” about the relationship.
As Remix News reported back in August, police found DNA evidence of two of the youth gang members on cigarette butts at the crime scene.
One 15-year-old youth admitted to taking taxi rides to the tune of €545, which the teacher paid for. They all say the woman consensually had sex with them.
The trial is taking place at the Vienna Regional Criminal Court and is expected to last four days.
A verdict is due on October 20.
