Bundeswehr Officer Temporarily Suspended from Duty After Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf

The temporary suspension of a soldier becomes legally binding upon delivery. This measure is a precautionary measure, not a disciplinary punishment. The federal army officer is initially not allowed to enter any military facilities. The case is handed over to the Federal Disciplinary Authority, which decides whether a permanent suspension from duty will occur, which would mean a salary reduction of one third. Whether a disciplinary procedure will be initiated is decided by an authority in the Ministry of Defense. The review is still ongoing.

Federal Army Officer Not Unknown

The federal army officer reported to the public prosecutor is not unknown. In 2018, he gave a racist speech as a private individual at an event of the Comradeship Association of Upper Austria in the Braunau district. At the time, the Ministry of Defense filed a criminal complaint, the proceedings were discontinued, but a disciplinary procedure followed. "In the course of this, he received a different service assignment," said Bauer, who was not allowed to provide information on the outcome of the procedure. The federal army officer also participated in the weapons exercise as a private individual. The general service regulations stipulate that a soldier must "refrain from anything that could damage the reputation of the federal army or trust in national defense," regardless of whether it happens in the course of duty or as a private individual.

19 people, including a few women, from Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Carinthia reportedly conducted target exercises on the agricultural property on Saturday. 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 investigative authorities, around 50 semi-automatic weapons, partially disassembled and hidden, were found. The State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism was also on site, but investigations regarding extremism or state denial "yielded no results."

The Greens and the SPÖ demanded a complete clarification of this case in statements on Friday and particularly a statement from the FPÖ. According to media reports, the officer was briefly an employee of the current FPÖ governor of Styria, Mario Kunasek, during his time as Minister of Defense.

(APA/Red)

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