Jehovah’s Witnesses in Leibnitz, Austria, may have been the target of an attack on Friday evening. There were no casualties. Nevertheless, the police and authorities are taking the incident very seriously.
Vienna, 20 August 2023 – Last Friday evening during a worship service of Jehovah’s Witnesses, explosive devices were apparently installed under two vehicles in a parking lot near the Kingdom Hall (church building). The devices detonated, but fortunately, no one was injured. There were no indications of any potential threat beforehand. The police are working on the investigation.
Markus Kakavis, a spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Austria, said: “Of course, we are shocked by this incident. Our congregation in Leibnitz is accustomed to peaceful coexistence, both with one another and with all our fellow citizens. We are glad that no one was hurt. We are working closely with the investigating authorities. Good communication and cooperation with the authorities have always been part of our guiding principles, which are based on principles in the Holy Scriptures.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses would like to thank all the emergency services for their prompt and professional support—not only in Leibnitz but also throughout Austria.