Boy, 12, ‘detained by terror cops who feared he was plotting an ISIS attack in Austria after being radicalised by a hate preacher’

A BOY of 12 has been identified by terror cops as a member of an ISIS cell plotting an attack in Europe, according to reports.

The lad – from the Austrian capital of Vienna – has not been arrested as he is not old enough to be tried in court in the country.

But the suspect has been detained and is being questioned.

Local media reported the boy is just 12 years old, although police would not confirm his exact age.

He was detained as part of a probe into a 17-year-old terror suspect who was arrested in Vienna on Friday.

At a press conference on Monday police were tight-lipped about what exactly they had discovered so far.

They did say the young lad involved had been radicalised by a "hate preacher" and was in close contact with the 17-year-old.

Austria’s director of public security Konrad Kogler revealed authorities received several tip-offs that suspected Islamic extremists were plotting an attack in the country.

After raising security in Vienna, officers swooped a few days later to arrest the teenage suspect on Friday, in the city’s Favoriten district.

Cops also searched several properties in the Austrian capital, as well as in the state of Lower Austria.

Several computers and mobile phones were seized and are now being analysed.

The 17-year-old has been named by cops as Lorenz K – born in Austria to parents of Albanian origin.

He grew up in the small town of Neunkirchen, just south of Vienna.

Police say Lorenz K was known for petty crimes and assault, adding they believe he is part of an international network of ISIS supporters.

“Close contact” between the teenager and others led authorities to a 21-year-old man in the city of Neuss, in western Germany, on Saturday.

Austria’s director of public security Konrad Kogler described the radicalisation of Austrian-born teenagers as a "relatively new phenomenon in Austria".

He urged parents and teachers to contact authorities if they were concerned that a young person was in danger of becoming radicalised.

Deputy Head of the Vienna Police Karl Mahrer said a 220-strong standby unit was ready in case of an emergency – but stressed the public should not worry.

He said: "We can continue to live normally and should not feel insecure."

Mahrer warned security levels would remain high in Vienna and across the country – with an increased police presence in busy public places and transport hubs – while the probe is carried out.

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