A case involving an attempted “honor killing” in Austria has received widespread attention in the country’s media and social networks in recent weeks. The case has also sparked discussions about the integration of migrants into Austrian society, as the accused had lived in the country for more than 20 years.
According to Austrian media reports, a 51-year-old Afghan man who also holds Austrian citizenship attacked his 15-year-old daughter with a knife on 24 November 2025 in the Donaustadt district of Vienna.
Reports indicate that the man stabbed his daughter 13 times, and many of the attacks occurred after the teenage girl had already fallen to the ground and was unable to defend herself. Sources say some of the wounds were inflicted on sensitive parts of her body, including her neck.
The girl survived after receiving assistance from a doctor whose clinic was located near the scene. The doctor managed to stop the bleeding until emergency responders arrived.
After months of investigation and interrogation, the final court hearing in the case was held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at the Vienna Regional Court. The judge stated that “there is no crime more horrific than attempting to kill one’s own child” and sentenced the man to life imprisonment.
In a special report, Austria’s OE24 network published new details about the case. According to the report, the accused migrated to Austria about 20 years ago and had been working in a restaurant making pizza before the incident occurred.
He was the head of a seven-member family and lived with his wife and five children in an apartment in Vienna’s Floridsdorf district. During the investigation, he described himself as “an ordinary Muslim.”
The report states that he had a strict and patriarchal attitude within the family and had repeatedly used physical violence. It was also said that he had always insisted that his daughters should not have relationships with non-Muslims or non-Afghans.
According to published information, the family’s eldest daughter had previously been engaged to an Afghan man. In addition, the 15-year-old girl was also expected to marry a 22-year-old Afghan man — a decision reportedly made by the girl’s grandparents.
However, the teenage girl opposed the family’s decision and entered into a romantic relationship with a Romanian boy. During various stages of the legal proceedings, she stated that this issue escalated tensions and ultimately led to the attack against her.
According to Austrian media reports, the girl’s father remained at the scene after the incident and admitted responsibility for the attack in front of witnesses.
Although the accused expressed remorse during the trial and adopted a different tone, the court found him guilty based on the available evidence and issued a life sentence. Even the daughter’s attempt to forgive her father did not change the court’s decision.
At present, the girl has been separated from her family and is being cared for in a social and educational support center under the protection of the Austrian government. Her mother continues to live with the family’s other four children at their previous residence.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
