In a major blow to right-wing extremism in Austria: 18 searches were carried out on Wednesday by the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN) during an Austria-wide Joint Action Day, supported by EUROPOL. Several hundred Nazi devotional objects and various weapons and data carriers were seized.
In cooperation with the nine state agencies for state security and counter-extremism (LSE), the judiciary and with the support of EUROPOL, raids were carried out in nine states on Wednesday. A total of 18 searches took place at the homes of 20 suspected persons, including one woman.
Illegal trade in Nazi memorabilia discovered
The aim was to dismantle the structures of a right-wing extremist network suspected of illegal trafficking in Nazi devotional objects. The trafficking took place via an instant messaging service, not only distributing Nazi symbols and other banned items, but also spreading Nazi ideology itself online. In total, several hundred Nazi memorabilia, several weapons and a large amount of data storage media were seized during the searches (see photos below).
Items seized included badges, daggers, uniforms, helmets, protective masks, flags and medals – some of which were stored in a collection described by authorities as a ‘Nazi museum’. The officers also found long guns, cutting and stabbing weapons and prohibited brass knuckles in the buildings they searched.
Focus on studies in five states
The focus of the research was in the states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria. Eleven suspects were also questioned in these states.
In Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Carinthia, state security offices also carried out state police measures, including three new searches and a voluntary inspection. A total of four suspect interrogations took place in these three states.
Successful attack against extremist structures
The raids and seizures were the result of months of painstaking investigative work by the responsible authorities, in particular the LSE Lower Austria. The seizure of weapons and Nazi memorabilia illustrates the danger posed by such right-wing extremist networks. However, the investigation has not yet been completed.
“The police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution are taking consistent and strong action against all forms of extremism,” stressed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. “The police finally need powers to control courier services so that they can take action against extremists on an equal basis,” the ÖVP politician demands.
The police also emphasized that the successful operation was only possible through the close cooperation of various national and international authorities. “We will continue to take tough action against extremism,” said a DSN spokesperson. Minister of Justice Alma Zadic also emphasizes once again how important it is to continue the fight against right-wing extremism.
The public is asked to continue to report suspicious activities immediately in order to make an important contribution to the fight against extremism.
Source: Krone
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