Austrian ex‑police officer survives two poisoning attempts in Graz prison

Manuel M., a 31‑year‑old former Cobra officer accused of murdering fitness trainer Johanna G., has been held in the Jakomini prison in Graz since early 2024. While in detention, a fellow inmate – a former cellmate serving time for severe child‑abuse charges – allegedly tried to poison him twice by lacing his drinking water with powdered medication. The first attempt caused vomiting and brief loss of consciousness; the second was detected when Manuel handed the contaminated glass to prison staff, prompting a toxicology investigation.

Following the incidents, prison authorities placed Manuel under heightened supervision and moved him to a cell with inmates classified as low‑risk. The case, reported by the Austrian tabloid "Krone," highlights security concerns within the Austrian penal system and the ongoing legal proceedings against Manuel, who maintains his innocence and faces a potential life sentence if convicted.