After several anti-Semitic posts on Facebook, a Viennese imam was targeted by the Public Prosecution Service. Authorities spokeswoman Nina Bussek said Friday that an investigation was underway to determine whether there was incitement.
If there is sufficient suspicion, an investigation will be initiated. “Allah, (…) does not let any of them (Jews, take note) live,” wrote the imam of the Assalam Mosque in Vienna-Meidling. Imam refers to the religious and political leader of the Islamic community. “O Allah, defeat the Jews and support the Mujahideen who are fighting for Allah in Palestine,” he wrote at another time. Jews are a ‘despicable people’ who understand only ‘the language of blood and murder’.
“What he writes on social media is relevant”
A spokeswoman for the Islamic Religious Community (IGGÖ) said contact had already been made with its religious community. The suspect, who is currently abroad, must be given the opportunity to “take a stand”.
Some posts have now been edited and the offending sections removed. “Even if he does not make these statements in the mosque, what he writes on social media is relevant,” the Assalam mosque spokeswoman said. The mosque is mainly visited by people with Egyptian roots.
Consequences demanded
Since the accusations became known, many parties have demanded consequences. “The security authorities must do everything they can to ensure that this imam and the people around him do not pose a threat. I assume that this is already happening, as well as criminal prosecution by the judiciary. If the man is not an Austrian citizen, he will be deported,” said the chairman of the Israeli religious community, Oskar Deutsch.
The NEOS announced a parliamentary question. “The federal government rightly continues to point out that anti-Semitism should have no place in our society. But at the same time, it shows too little commitment to monitoring mosques and clubs for extremist behavior and to close them if necessary. “Did the authorities have this imam and his posts on their radar?” said spokeswoman Stephanie Krisper.
Source: Krone
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