Hitler salute shown – soldier in SS uniform: only transferred despite verdict

In the judgment for reactivation, the offenses committed by the Oberstabswachtmeister are described by the Disciplinary Committee as follows: The soldier ordered a uniform, swastika insignia and swastika flags on the internet and gave an SS made a uniform with patches with SS runes, imperial eagle and swastika. According to a report by the “Kurier”, he is said to have worn this uniform at least five times. Photos of it appeared on social networks.

confession to authorities
The member of the army is also said to have brought the Nazi salute several times, for example in the canteen of the sports club, on the football field or for comrades in the barracks. He also allegedly took home fireworks from the military. He confessed to all the charges before authorities, but claims to have committed all crimes under the influence of alcohol.

The soldier was given a suspended sentence of ten months by a jury and a fine of 4,968 euros from the disciplinary board.

SPÖ calls for “urgent clarification”
The fact that the soldier remained in service sparked outrage among SPÖ spokeswoman for culture of remembrance Sabine Schatz and SPÖ military spokesman Robert Laimer, who put parliamentary questions to Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) and Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens). ). “This case of the non-commissioned officer and the military’s handling of the reactivation of the Nazis urgently needs to be clarified,” Schatz said in a broadcast. “Reactivation must be a reason to ban soldiers from the army,” Laimer demanded.

Army must “accept decision”
The Ministry of Defense emphasized to the “Kurier” that reactivation “will not be tolerated, act resolutely and unequivocally against her and take all possible legal steps against her”. In the specific case, a disciplinary complaint was filed and dismissal was granted. The criminal court could have caused the loss of office with a prison sentence of more than a year.

“The military must accept this decision (that of the disciplinary authority, note). Also, the court did not make a decision that would have resulted in dismissal,” said army spokesman Michael Bauer via Twitter. The federal disciplinary authority is the highest authority for civil servants and the decisions are binding on the army. “There is no longer any authority.” The soldier had been transferred and has been “immediately discharged from his job” and will be “used in a non-military position as part of his civil service relationship,” the ministry said in a statement.

Tanner: “Time and again misconduct by individuals”
Defense Secretary Tanner also spoke: “For me there is zero tolerance on this point,” she assured. Awareness among the military is promoted through various projects. Nevertheless, “unfortunately there is always misconduct on the part of individuals – against which we are taking full action and using all the resources at our disposal,” the minister said. Also on this year’s National Day, special attention will be given to the topic, with a joint booth with the Mauthausen Memorial/Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial, where the collaboration will be presented.

In any case, NEOS defense spokesman Douglas Hoyos was not satisfied with the statements of the defense department. “Neo-Nazis have no place in the Austrian armed forces,” Hoyos stressed. “The Ministry of Defense cannot always shrug off such activities and shift its responsibility to the criminal court, but ultimately must act decisively. If the service law does not allow it, it must be changed.”

“Whoever works in the executive branch bears responsibility“
Federal President Van der Bellen – he is the commander-in-chief of the army – also spoke on Twitter on Thursday afternoon: “The NS reactivation of a soldier in the army shocks me. Everyone who works in the executive branch bears a special responsibility”, emphasized. the head of state: “Any form of Nazi glorification must be condemned in the strictest terms and has no place in the civil service and in our society.”

Criticism also came from the Greens
“Anyone marching in SS uniform cannot be part of an army sworn to the democratic and anti-fascist values ​​of our republic. There is zero tolerance. We demand clarity from Defense Secretary Tanner and put a parliamentary question,” it said. Defense spokesman David Stogmüller added: “By law it would have been possible to fire the non-commissioned officer. Apparently, the Defense Secretary’s disciplinary lawyer has not requested resignation. I wonder why the department headed by Secretary Tanner did not request this? ”