Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Vienna and the state capitals last Friday to demonstrate against the right-wing extremism that is increasingly taking hold in Austria. Some Identitarians did not miss this opportunity and caused a stir with a disruptive action. In doing so, they took advantage of an old security gap in parliament, as has now become known.
The former head of the Identitarians, Martin Sellner himself, is said to have participated in the campaign, as can be concluded from various messages on social media. He denies this. A total of three people climbed onto the roof of Palais Epstein during the “demonstration against the right”. There they used pyrotechnics and unveiled a poster with the usual messages. Police say they have filed a report of disorderly conduct. So far, so familiar.
But could it actually be so easy in the Austrian state to ‘hijack’ the roof of such an important building (including the location of parliamentary clubs), many people have since wondered. Apparently so. An insider confirmed a media report to krone.at on Wednesday that the three right-wing activists had simply entered the Palais Epstein through the roof of the adjacent building – unfortunately, a long-known security breach that had probably been forgotten.
Mysterious burglary in 2015
The three troublemakers were not the first to gain access to the parliament building in this way on Friday. There was already a mysterious burglary there in 2015; the perpetrators also climbed the roof of the adjacent house. Masked men broke open a roof hatch and climbed into the building (looting offices and causing “significant damage”) – which the Identitarians did not do on Friday…
“No protective equipment whatsoever”
The parliamentary management now told krone.at that it could be ruled out that the activists’ goal was to get into parliament. It can also be ruled out that the three reached the roof via the palace itself. It is confirmed that the transition to the structurally connected neighboring house at Schmerlingplatz is unfortunately not secured by any protective equipment (such as a fence of the appropriate height). The parliamentary administration now wants to reevaluate this.
A ban for the three men is also being considered.
According to organizers, at least 80,000 people gathered in front of the parliament in Vienna on Friday despite the rain to “defend democracy”. According to the police, there were as many as 35,000 people. There were also protest events in Innsbruck and Salzburg.
“I wasn’t on the roof”
According to Sellner, a “modest feel-good ritual of left-wing civil society,” as he said on Telegram. And: “I wasn’t on the roof. That’s not allowed, I’m not allowed to enter the roof.” He was in the coffee house at the time.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
