The Tyrolean police and military command are now carrying out daily checks in the vicinity of Innsbruck’s main train station. Asylum seekers apply for an application in Austria and then travel to Italy or France to also apply there. The route via the Tyrolean capital is therefore particularly controlled.
The main railway station in Innsbruck is currently being targeted by the Tyrolean police and the Tyrolean army command. According to an internal letter from military circles in the possession of the “Krone”, they carry out refugee checks. “An analysis of the migration movement has shown that a large number of foreigners apply for asylum in Eastern Austria and then travel directly to Southern and Western Europe to submit a new asylum application in another Member State (mainly Italy, France), especially because they hope for a better chance of success in a permanent residence permit,” the letter states.
“Contact with the communities that are already there, but also labor migration, especially from Indians, Pakistanis and Moroccans to Italy (including harvest workers), play an important role in this. A train route via Innsbruck to Italy has been developing here for some time,” it continues.
checks for an indefinite period
On September 5, a meeting was held to assess the options for implementation at the main station to stem the increasing migration towards Italy. The Tyrolean army command was ordered to support these measures. The letter also states that the checks will take place “daily from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m.” – indefinitely.
But what does that mean in concrete terms? Are the police with the help of the army taking refugees who have applied for asylum in Austria but no longer want to stay here?
‘Soldiers protect the police officers according to the order’
Christoph Seidner, press officer at the Tyrolean Military Command, emphasized when asked by Krone: “I can confirm this mission. For us it is an aid operation at the request of the police. Our soldiers protect and support the police officers during their official duties. Why this operation is necessary should be clarified directly with the police.”
“Police officers queue up for people’s status”
The soldiers are also on duty at the controls on the Brenner Pass and in Nauders. “They’re rearranged to perform this task as well,” Seidner says.
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Harald Baumgartner, head of the Tyrolean Immigration Police, provides more specific information: “There is a lot of movement at the moment, so we are checking the area around the station and the platforms. We look at the status of the people. Few of them are in Austria illegally, many have asylum seeker status. Those who have a green card are committing an area violation – they are restricted to an area and are not allowed to be in Innsbruck – here are the ads. And those who have a white card and are admitted to the procedure are informed that they would enter Italy illegally.”
They cannot be prevented from doing so, as there is no crime of illegal departure in Austria. But in Italy “they are collected and returned to us.” As long as so many asylum seekers travel, these controls will be enforced.
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.
