An anonymous letter accuses the chancellor’s family. It is alleged that bodyguards have been hired for private assignments. Karl Nehammer, in a highly emotional press conference on Monday evening, denied all allegations and settled scores with political opponents – especially the SPÖ: “Constructing an accusation at the expense of the safety of my family is a new low in the political debate in Austria. A red line was crossed here en masse.” Nehammer got support from the boss of the Cobra.
As the Ministry of the Interior reported on Monday, temporary personal protection measures were required at Nehammer in January 2020, which were adapted to permanent measures from the summer of 2020 due to various threats. In November 2020, these protective measures were extended to women due to threats. and children of Nehammer.
“Personal protection is not a luxury”
Nehammer: “People do not opt for personal protection, which is determined by the Bureau for the Protection of the Constitution. Personal protection is not an unnecessary luxury. It means giving up your private life to protect your own life. It doesn’t feel good to have personal protection,” the chancellor continued. If you have children, you can imagine how close that comes to you.
Nehammer was angry that a scandal was being constructed based on the anonymous letter. “I didn’t think it was possible that such a thing could happen in the political debate in the Second Republic,” Nehammer said. The current allegations would put his family in serious danger.
Harte Kritik and SPÖ
Nehammer rushed to court with the SPÖ, which promptly sought clarification after these allegations became known. “Clearly there has also been a huge shift in the way we interact politically,” Nehammer accused. It is “unacceptable” for details of a security concept to be published in a parliamentary question from a party seeking to assume state responsibility. Nehammer emphasized that he also said this to SPÖ chairman Pamela Rendi-Wagner.
“I will not let my course stop me”
By publishing details of the safety concept for his family, any gaps could be identified. “I find it sad, dramatic and dishonorable not to attack the political opponent, but my children and my wife and that also in terms of security.” In any case, he will not let his course be held back. “The rest is clarified by the rule of law.” We are currently investigating whether advertisements will be introduced.
“blame nonsensical”
Nehammer either rejected the allegations described in the study or found them nonsensical because of the personal protection system. Of course, the bodyguards accompanied his children to private appointments – that’s what it was all about. No manipulations were carried out in the investigation into the allegations against the bodyguards. “To assume that I would have intervened is despicable.” The allegations against the bodyguards themselves should be cleared up in disciplinary proceedings.
On Friday it was announced that two members of the Cobra special unit, who were deployed as bodyguards for the chancellor’s family, caused a traffic accident after work about three weeks ago with physical damage, but with a company car. According to the Interior Ministry, the two were drunk, they allegedly drank alcohol after work and the end of the watch. The two Cobra agents were transferred to the back office after the incident.
Cobra boss dismisses allegations in anonymous letter
Cobra boss Treibenreif rejected the allegations in the anonymous letter in the request to “Zeit im Bild”. The allegations will be checked very carefully, but he can say the truth is “very, very low” and “we will report everything”.
Source: Krone
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