Serious accusations are made against a course leader of the Theresian Military Academy in Wiener Neustadt. He is accused of torture, coercion and abuse of office during an exercise. This happened in the context of the so-called military officer training, it was clearly a kind of prisoner of war. However, the consent of the participants involved was not obtained, nor was there an opportunity to withdraw from the exercise.
The allegations were made in a statement of facts available to the APA. This was initially sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) and from there forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office in Wiener Neustadt.
“Treated Inhumanly, Exhausted, Tormented”
Essentially, it involves leadership training as part of the so-called officer training. In a training scenario not included in the curriculum, some kind of war captivity of ensigns for training purposes was alleged to have taken place in February, according to the allegations. The consent of those involved was never obtained and there was no possibility to end the training. The description of the facts mentions, among other things, “targeted and permanent stress” on February 16 and 17, the ensigns were treated inhumanely and “exhausted and tortured”.
According to Habitzl, the head of the course is being investigated for abuse of office, coercion and torture, as well as the suspicion of endangering physical safety, deprivation of liberty and dangerous threats. Degrading treatment under Article 35 of the Military Penal Code is also present in the chamber. An investigation order has been available since November 9, it was emphasized. Two superiors of the course leader were also reported. No investigation was launched in these two cases.
Head of service
According to Federal Army spokesman Michael Bauer, the course leader is still on duty. “Investigations are the sole responsibility of the public prosecutor’s office,” with which “they work closely together,” said Bauer. Administrative assistance has been requested and will be granted.
Source: Krone
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