Overview

• The defendants, aged 14 to 17, face counts of rape, sexual coercion, extortion, theft and arson before the Vienna Regional Court, with accusations varying by individual.
• Prosecutors say the case grew out of a consensual relationship that began in April 2024 between the nearly 30-year-old teacher and a former pupil who was over 14.
• The group allegedly presented as a youth gang, used drugs with the woman, exploited her impaired state for sexual assaults, and threatened to report supposed sex and drug parties to pressure her for money, food, taxis and tobacco.
• Investigators say photos and videos were created and used for blackmail, and a January arson at the woman’s apartment while she was abroad helped uncover a broader pattern of crimes.
• Defense lawyers deny abuse, characterizing the sexual encounters as consensual, while some defendants have only partly admitted to thefts, drug use and the fire.