A defunct grenade found near a synagogue in Vienna

A hand grenade was found near a Jewish synagogue in Vienna's Leopoldstadt district on Sunday. According to the authorities, it was a non-functional munition without explosives and with a damaged detonator. Police have so far ruled out a direct link to the synagogue and an anti-Semitic motive, but the investigation into the case is continuing.

The grenade was found in a bag placed in the entrance of a house opposite the synagogue on Tempelgasse Street near the centre of the Austrian capital. The bag was spotted there in the morning by a synagogue employee, who informed the police.

The police initially cordoned off the area because of the potential danger and called in bomb squads. According to the findings, the grenade did not contain any explosive material and its firing mechanism was inoperable.

"Based on the information currently available, there is no direct connection to the synagogue located on Tempelgasse Street, nor is there any anti-Semitic intent," a spokesman for the Vienna police said.

Nevertheless, the Federal Office for the Protection of the State and the Fight against Extremism has been informed about the incident and the investigation into the circumstances of the discovery is continuing.

(tasr, mja)