20-Year-Old Sentenced After Threats Against Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial

The previously unblemished defendant had "announced a rampage at the Mauthausen concentration camp" on September 6 or 7, began the prosecutor in his presentation. The defendant, who was working there as a civilian servant at the time of the crime, had stated that he would dress in black, wear aviator glasses, and fetch his father's pistol, to which he had access. To support his statement, he showed a colleague a photo in which he was holding the weapon. He allegedly threatened to kill all the employees of the memorial.

Defendant calls threats against Mauthausen concentration camp memorial a "joke" during trial

His client admits everything, but it was a joke, said defense attorney Andreas Mauhart, asking to "keep things in perspective." His client, who was taken into custody after the incident, realizes that his actions were only "moderately intelligent." The prosecutor considered the justification that it was a joke to be quite "adventurous" and sees it as a mere protective claim. "He (the defendant, note) will have to explain to us today where the joke is supposed to be."

"I had a lot of time during my civilian service, and a lot of nonsense comes from a lot of time," justified the 20-year-old. The court wondered how one could see something like this - especially in light of the Graz rampage and various bomb threats - as a joke. The defendant claims to have only realized later that it wasn't funny, he simply "didn't think at the moment." However, the judge pointed out that the statements had stretched over several days, "that's more than a moment."

After confession: Waiver of witnesses in trial following threats against Mauthausen concentration camp memorial

Mauhart sees different interpretations of the word "joke" in different age groups. It was not meant in the sense of "funny," but as "not meant seriously." The prosecutor, on the other hand, advised the defendant to seek help "if such thoughts arise again in the future."

Due to the remorseful confession, the examination of witnesses was waived. The representative of the private parties had requested that the man be prohibited from approaching the memorial, its employees, and the three former civilian service colleagues. However, the court did not consider this.

Eight months partially suspended after threats against Mauthausen concentration camp memorial

With a threat of up to three years in prison, the court sentenced the man to eight months, seven of which are suspended. After his pre-trial detention, he now has to stay in prison for three more days. Additionally, the court ordered probation assistance. "One doesn't know where the whole thing could have led," said the judge in her reasoning. Rampage shooters are often well-adjusted and withdrawn - and the defendant conveyed exactly this impression. "Think about what you do in the future," she advised him. The FPÖ, of which he is a member, has already initiated expulsion proceedings.

(APA/Red)

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