The convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Innsbruck’s “Olympiaworld” began Friday with an increased police presence. The congress took place a week ago against the background of two detonated explosive devices on cars belonging to members of the religious community in Southern Styria, the context and background of which are still unclear.
For the congress in Innsbruck, where some 3,800 members from home and abroad will gather until Sunday, “no concrete threat is assumed,” police spokesman Stefan Eder told the APA: “Of course the incidents in Styria are involved, which is why the security measures have been increased.
“Peaceful atmosphere on the first day”
Meanwhile, Leif Crepaz, spokesman for the Congress of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Innsbruck, spoke of a “peaceful and joyful atmosphere” on the first day of the convention. “Of course the incidents in Leibnitz helped us adapt the safety concept,” he explained.
For example, they have ‘reduced the number of entrances’, are increasingly calling on stewards and have also instructed them to ‘look carefully at people who seem confused’.
“Balance between openness and security”
In any case, the cooperation with the ‘state authorities’ is very good, Crepaz emphasizes: ‘This time there are a few more police patrols, but that is not necessarily unusual.’ They want to find a balance between openness and security, also in cooperation with the police.
Cars exploded by explosives
An unknown person set up the explosives in Leibnitz last Friday night while the owners of the vehicles were employed by the religious community of Jehovah’s Witnesses. No one was injured in the incident. The State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Counterterrorism (LVT) has now set up its own investigation team.
The Innsbruck event concludes this year’s series of conventions for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Austria under the motto “Exercise Patience.” Just last Sunday, a large bilingual convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses was held in Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium, with some 9,000 participants. There were no incidents.
Source: Krone
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