Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) stopped by the editorial office of “Krone” in St. Pölten. In an interview, he spoke about criminal justice reform, including its own Cyber-Cobra, about the effective asylum brake and the current threats.
“crown”: Minister, at the beginning of December you presented the criminal law reform. What should change?
Gerard Karner: Central elements that particularly affect us in the fight against crime take on a special regional significance. For example, in the field of cybercrime with an almost 25 percent increase in offenses in Lower Austria alone. In the future, priority departments will be built here and the existing district police station will be upgraded. In addition, crime scene work will be strengthened – there should be six to seven locations around the country. Intensive consultations are currently taking place, a system must be set up for optimal regional coverage in the future, such as in specialist hospitals.
There should also be forensic IT scientists in the future. How do you get enough specialists here?
With special contracts and allowances, we hope to get the specialists we need. But that is not easy, partly due to the prevailing shortage of skilled workers in the area.
There is the idea of a cybercobra. Is that ready to say?
Criminal justice reform is our direct response to these criminal developments. Yes, we need such a special unit for the network now. With new specialists in regional focus offices.
How is the current recruitment offensive going?
We are basically well positioned in Lower Austria, but we urgently need new staff, both young people and career changers. We want to fill the police academies to be prepared for the coming wave of retirements.
Tougher action must also be taken against organized crime. How should that work?
One of the most brutal and largest areas is human trafficking – this requires international cooperation. But we also see latent threats in terms of extremism – from those who refuse to go to the state, for example, or from identities. Here we will shortly present a reform of the state services for the protection of the constitution and the fight against terrorism.
What is the current situation in Traiskirchen?
Last year we took massive measures here, particularly in the area of border controls and international cooperation. The asylum brake is working, for the first time since June 2022 we have reached a level of less than 1000 people. Nevertheless, we must continue to vigorously combat asylum abuse. We want to help those who need our help.
During the state elections at the end of January, the ÖVP headquarters in St. Pölten were stormed. How great is the danger from the right?
It is the spirits that Herbert Kickl summoned that become visible at such events. Yes, there is a scene right that poses a corresponding threat. However, this is closely monitored by state security. The state refusers in particular used Corona to advertise their own scene.
What about the danger of the left – keyword climate glue?
Here, too, there is a scene that we keep a close eye on. We are currently trying, especially in Vienna, to act as consistently as possible against the climate stickers. But where they do not bother anyone, the police stick them there, as they did in Vienna on Monday.
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner is calling for tougher penalties for climate glue. She also?
If rescue operations are hindered or people are endangered, appropriate penalties are required.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
