After Controversial Peršmanhof Operation: Politics Demands Clarification

The Greens called the operation a "democratic and commemorative political scandal" and, like the NEOS, are demanding clarification. The Ministry of the Interior announces a "multi-professional analysis." This is "proof that the operation was not carefully examined in advance," said Green MP Olga Voglauer.

At a press conference, the spokesperson for ethnic groups - herself a member of the Carinthian Slovenes - highlighted the significance of the location. "The Peršmanhof is a place that deeply affects you." During World War II, it was a partisan base. Shortly before the end of the war, the SS committed a massacre there, killing eleven civilians from the Sadovnik and Kogoj families. That many of those present and relatives now feel retraumatized is no surprise.

Just a few weeks ago, a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Peršmanhof, attended by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, among others. Every year, an anti-fascist summer camp is also held. "Never again is nothing other than an anti-fascist basic attitude, and an anti-fascist basic attitude is not something extremist. This is not to be blamed on the youth," said Voglauer. The operation with a helicopter, police dog, and rapid intervention group was completely disproportionate, also criticized the commemorative political spokesperson Lukas Hammer. "It was not about controlling crimes, but about minor violations of the nature conservation law. This is roughly comparable to illegal parking."

Ministry of the Interior announces analysis

The Greens are therefore directing a parliamentary inquiry with 55 questions to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), including who ordered the operation, whether the Ministry of the Interior was informed, what role the district governor played, and why the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum was present. Recently, inquiries from Karner have only been inadequately answered. If this happens again this time, "it will have a parliamentary aftermath that will be significant," said Hammer.

The Ministry of the Interior stated late Tuesday morning that the measures taken at the Peršmanhof last Sunday will be "analyzed multi-professionally on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior." The analysis will be conducted by representatives of the Federal Police Directorate, the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence, the Mauthausen Memorial, and the Office of the Carinthian State Government. They will also approach the Slovenian ethnic group representation in Austria to send a representative to the analysis group. The involvement of other organizations and experts is possible. This was agreed upon in a conversation between Karner and the Carinthian Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ). The latter invited a joint discussion between the museum management, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the district administration, and the municipality for Wednesday. "A circle of chairs at the governor's office will not solve the whole issue," said Voglauer, who instead calls for an independent commission of inquiry.

SPÖ State Secretary for State Protection Jörg Leichtfried announced a "complete and transparent clarification" within his area of responsibility in a statement. The incident raises serious questions that need to be clarified quickly, and "those who clarify carefully and comprehensively strengthen trust in the rule of law and protect the integrity of the many officials who perform their work professionally and with great responsibility." Party leader Andreas Babler shared "the shock of those affected by the severe police operation" on the short messaging service Bluesky.

No Understanding at FPÖ

The call for clarification also came from the NEOS on Tuesday. "The review of the operation must actually take place to ensure that such an incident does not repeat itself. After all, the Peršmanhof is an important memorial site," said the Carinthian state spokesperson Janos Juvan to the APA.

For the People's Party, the second National Council President Peter Haubner spoke up. "The Peršmanhof memorial is a place of dignity and remembrance of a terrible massacre. Memorial sites like this deserve respect - in attitude as well as in action. A complete clarification of the incidents is therefore of central importance," he stated in a press release.

Only among the Freedom Party does the call for clarification not meet with understanding. Representatives of Antifa have "left a trail of violence through the country" in recent years, said security spokesperson Gernot Darmann. "If now SPÖ leader Babler and SPÖ State Secretary Leichtfried demand clarification for the police operation at the Antifa summer camp, they are thereby undermining the security authorities. This is unbearable for me and proves that the SPÖ apparently courts left-wing extremist chaos," Darmann continued.

"Severe Setback"

The police operation at Peršmanhof was also a topic in a meeting of the Carinthian state government on Tuesday. "The goal must be to restore the ability to dialogue," said Kaiser after the meeting to journalists regarding the conversation planned for Wednesday. The event itself must be "completely clarified" by those responsible. The Peršmanhof is one of the most significant memorial sites, as confirmed by the visits of numerous national and international politicians. Now it is important to "further promote the dignity of the place and the memorial work." Regarding the current situation, Kaiser said: "This is a severe setback that has been provoked." It is now important to contribute to returning to normality: "All sides are called upon to approach each other again."

Deputy Governor Martin Gruber (ÖVP) emphasized that a memorial like the Peršmanhof must be respected: "But the law also applies there and it applies equally to everyone. Commemoration and the rule of law need each other, which is why I consider one-sided blame to be inappropriate." He also stressed that a "sober and complete clarification of the events" is needed to be able to draw conclusions from them.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.