Interior Minister Gerhard Karner defends the actions of the police during climate sticker protests. This year there have already been 2,500 reports and 500 arrests. The strange thing, however, is that traffic jams are not a reason for forced closure.
The report in the Kronen Zeitung about the demonstration tourists who repeatedly paralyze the streets in Innsbruck and the surrounding area not only led to many – sometimes very emotional – reactions among readers, but also led to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) attracted attention. the phone is late. In an interview with the “Tiroler Krone” he emphasizes that he absolutely should not “sleep” when it comes to climate adhesives. You always work according to three tactical basic lines.
1) Hold tight and stay late if no one is inconvenienced or endangered
2) Take consistent action when disruptions and obstacles occur
3) Also the use of pepper spray – when there are threats from radical climate activists – such as at the gas conference in Vienna in March this year.
“Since the beginning of the year, there have been approximately 2,500 reports and more than 500 arrests nationwide,” says Interior Minister Karner.
According to the police, there is no possibility of a solution
Of course, now you can sit back and say, Eh, everything’s fine. Anyone who has to wait in traffic for hours because of a few chaotic people brought in, obviously sees things a little differently. Especially because these are ‘meetings’ that are illegal because they are not registered. In this regard, the police literally said about Monday’s blockade in Rum: “The activists had not reported the meeting to the assembly authorities 48 hours in advance, as provided for in the Assembly Law. After an ongoing assessment of the current situation on the ground by the meeting authority, there was no legal option to dissolve the meeting.” But it gets even better.
Exception for “major disabilities”
It further states: “An official dissolution and possible mandatory implementation of this dissolution can only take place after the strictest weighing of the legal interests involved against the fundamental right to freedom of assembly, and only if there are enormous obstacles or disruptions. According to case law, local obstacles and waiting times (in traffic jams) for third parties do not constitute a sufficient legal basis for the authority to dissolve a meeting.”
Currently in Austria there is no legal option for the police to break up an illegal meeting. You have to understand that first. The fact that the “meeting” ended after two hours on Monday is simply due to the kindness of those who blocked it. “The activists voluntarily left the street and ended their meeting. The leader of the meeting is being reported on suspicion of violation of the Assembly Act,” the police emphasize.
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.
