A Romanian man is on trial in Vienna after allegedly attacking and robbing a young woman who was returning home on the night bus

A 40-year-old Romanian man is on trial at the Vienna Regional Court for attempted rape and robbery after allegedly attacking a 27-year-old woman in the Meidling district. The incident took place on the night of August 6–7, 2026, after the two got off the same night bus.

According to the victim’s account, the man allegedly followed her to near her home, then knocked her into a bush and strangled her. The young woman told the court that her vision went black and that she thought she was going to die. She shouted for help and struck the attacker with her phone until he snatched it from her and fled.

The victim suffered a fracture to her thumb and an injury to her cervical spine, and had to wear a splint and a cervical collar for six weeks.

The defendant admitted stealing the phone but denied the attempted rape charge. He claimed he wanted to sell the iPhone to buy a ticket to Romania. The man, whom the Austrian press says was working illegally, already has a rape conviction in Romania.

The trial was adjourned for a medical assessment. If the injuries are classified as grievous bodily harm, the defendant faces between 5 and 15 years in prison.