Gmünd man sentenced for extorting mother with arson threats

A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to a partially suspended prison term following a case of severe extortion, assault, and dangerous threats against his 70-year-old mother in Gmünd.

Driven by long-term drug and gambling addictions, the man sent his mother a video while she was attending a wedding in Turkey. The footage showed him pouring gasoline inside her apartment with the ultimatum, “Money or it burns!” The defendant testified that while he used violence and threats to secure funds when his financial resources dried up, he never intended to cause physical harm or kill her.

A court has sentenced him to three years in prison, with six months to be served in custody. Additionally, he is required to undergo psycho- and addiction therapy. The verdict is final.