Austrians outraged: Syrian migrant smiles after killing teen in stabbing attack

A deadly stabbing attack that took place last night (Saturday) in the city of Villach in southern Austria caused a huge shock in Europe, after a photo published from the scene documented the 23-year-old Syrian terrorist smiling in front of the police who came to arrest him - just minutes earlier he murdered a 14-year-old boy and wounded four others.

The photo, which was circulated in the international media and on social media, shows the terrorist sitting on steps in the street, smiling and waving his finger in a movement affiliated with ISIS, while an armed policewoman stands in front of him. Eyewitnesses reported that during the stabbing spree, he shouted "Allahu Akbar."

According to the local police, the terrorist was in the country with a legal permit, but the exact motive for his actions is still under investigation. "I have never seen anything like this in 20 years," said Carinthia police spokesman Rainer Dionicio, adding that it was an "unprecedented" crime in the region.

The attack was dramatically stopped by a Syrian food delivery man named Al-Adin al-Halabi, who was driving near the scene, noticed the attacker, and diverted his car towards him in order to neutralize him.

The incident took place at a time of political instability in Austria, with the right-wing and centrist parties struggling to form a government after the last elections. In the wake of the attack, the public discourse on immigration policy intensified, and politicians from all sides of the political spectrum reacted sharply.

Martin Gruber, leader of the People's Party (ÖVP), said, "Such events must not have a place in our country. Anyone who seeks asylum must respect our laws – and whoever violates them must be deported." The chairman of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), Erwin Angerer, claimed that "the writing was on the wall" and accused the previous government of a "systemic failure."