Investigations Against Federal Army Officer After Weapons Exercises in Vorchdorf Dropped

The suspended disciplinary proceedings remain unaffected by the termination of the investigation against the army officer after the weapons exercise in Vorchdorf. As soon as the Ministry of Defense receives the termination order from the public prosecutor's office, the disciplinary proceedings will begin, explained ministry spokesman Michael Bauer. The aspect of damage to the reputation of the army, which is not relevant under criminal law, will be addressed. The army officer, who has been on leave since mid-September, has already been temporarily suspended from duty.

23 Participants Reported After Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf

In the investigation of the weapons exercise, the public prosecutor's office in Wels has now received reports from the police against 23 people for violating paragraph 50 of the Weapons Act. The number of participants has increased from the original 19 to 23. It needs to be clarified whether all of them were allowed to carry category B weapons (revolvers, pistols, semi-automatic firearms) on the premises with their weapon possession cards or whether weapon permits were required. The investigations are still ongoing.

Men and a few women from Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Carinthia reportedly conducted target practice on the agricultural property on October 11. A witness raised the alarm via emergency call. When several patrols, the Cobra task force, and the rapid intervention group arrived, numerous armed individuals fled into the house. According to the investigating authorities, around 50 semi-automatic weapons, some disassembled and hidden, were found. The state office for the protection of the constitution and the fight against extremism was also on site, but investigations into extremism or state denial have "yielded no results."

After Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf: Municipality Demands Comprehensive Clarification

In a cross-party statement initiated by the SPÖ Vorchdorf, representatives of the factions from ÖVP, FPÖ, Liste Vorchdorf, the Greens, and the NEOS demand "a complete and transparent clarification of the events as well as a consistent examination of all legal questions by the competent authorities."

(APA/Red)

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