A 37-year-old man appeared at the Wels Regional Court on Thursday to answer charges related to a hostage-taking incident at the AMS office in Gmunden. His motive, according to the prosecutor, was that the previously law-abiding, unemployed, and heavily indebted man was “seeking a permanent home” in prison. The prosecutor stated that, based on a psychiatric evaluation, she would be requesting both a prison sentence and placement in a forensic therapeutic center.
The incident occurred on September 19, 2024, when the man entered the AMS building carrying three large kitchen knives and four handcuffs in his backpack. At an information desk, he allegedly threatened an employee and then took a counselor hostage. He is also accused of threatening another AMS employee. Following the threats, he reportedly instructed everyone else on the same floor to leave the building. He called the police himself, demanded a negotiation team, and was arrested shortly afterward.
Seeking “A Home Forever”
The prosecutor described the defendant’s troubled background. In June, his unemployment benefits were suspended after his repeated poor behavior caused job offers to fall through. His rent arrears and debts had accumulated, and eviction was imminent. The defendant had reportedly begun researching how to “get a home forever” by going to prison.
He reportedly investigated, “What crime do I need to commit to ensure I end up in prison for as long as possible without causing harm to anyone?” This led him to the idea of taking a hostage. The charges against him include extortion and coercion, and a prison sentence of ten to 20 years is possible. According to a psychiatric evaluation, the defendant is mentally competent but is considered dangerous due to a personality disorder. Therefore, the prosecutor seeks both a sentence and placement in a therapeutic facility.
“Fear of Losing His Existence”
The defendant’s lawyer stated that her client deeply regrets his actions and has come to realize that he made a mistake. He apologized to the AMS with a letter and is willing to fully admit his guilt. His motivation for the crime, according to him, was “a fear of losing his existence.” The defendant himself said he was ready to be shot by the police at the time of the incident. During his interrogation, he expressed regret: “What I did was really extreme.” He acknowledged that he should have handled the situation differently, and he understood that injuries could also be psychological, referring to the hostage he had taken. However, he disagreed with the diagnosis of the psychiatrist, who had confirmed the presence of a personality disorder.
