Three main currents – concerned chief of state security: extremism on the rise

The year 2022 was mainly marked by crises such as the war in Ukraine and the difficult energy situation or high inflation – multiple crises and challenges that could affect the security situation, the report highlights. This increases the dangers of extremism and terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage.

Right-wing extremism, Islamism and hostility to the state
According to Karner, the dangers mainly stem from three tendencies: right-wing extremism, anti-state connections and Islamist extremism. According to the report, the neo-Nazi scene or so-called New Right, or groups such as the Identitarians, recently attracted attention during the demonstrations against corona measures.

Corresponding activities in the virtual space have also been intensified, for example by setting up the website “Corona-Querfront”. The aim of the measures is to generate acceptance far beyond the usual public, the report explains.

Xenophobia is still widespread
Cooperation is sought with conspiracy ideologues or radical right-wing oriented state objectors. The latter also partly arose from the protests against the pandemic measures. After the end of the pandemic measure, criticism of inflation was recognized as a new focus. Asylum or xenophobic statements are also a central part of such movements, it said.

Weapon finds in the right scene
According to Karner, trivialities of the Holocaust were also recorded at rallies. It has also been shown what potential willingness to use violence can be expected. The minister referred to several finds of weapons in the right scene. In 2022, more than 660 people have been reported in this area, more than 100 house searches have been carried out and 37 arrests have been made.

Returnees from Syria’s civil war zone
It was emphasized that there is currently also a high threat level from Islamist extremists. Returnees from Syria’s civil war continue to play a role here, as do people about to be released from prison. The scene, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner stressed, is less visible at the moment, “but no less dangerous”. It is formed by individuals or small groups, and radicalization often takes place online.

Also climate protests in the picture
The report also mentions the climate protests. Minister Karner explains: “Of course, radical climate activists are also under the supervision of the state security service.” This was made possible to prevent the New Year’s concert from being disrupted. Left-wing extremist groups are said to be trying to abuse the movement. Of course, people campaigning for environmental protection shouldn’t necessarily be labeled anti-constitutional, he argued.