Disciplinary Proceedings Against Federal Army Officer After Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf

The federal army officer was already temporarily suspended from duty on Friday. However, the disciplinary proceedings remain paused until a decision is made on the criminal complaint. Regardless of the outcome - whether a criminal case is initiated or dismissed - the disciplinary proceedings against the officer will then be resumed.

Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf: Target Practice with Semi-Automatic Weapons

At least 19 people, including 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 investigative authorities, around 50 semi-automatic weapons, some 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 officer is not an unknown figure. 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 case was dismissed, but disciplinary proceedings 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 proceedings. He also participated in the weapons exercise as a private individual.

Federal Army Officer on Leave Since September

Since September 18 until the end of the year, the officer is on leave, after being on sick leave from 2020 to June 2025, the ministry spokesperson further stated. 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. The spokesperson for the Wels public prosecutor's office said on Monday that the review of the police report on the shooting exercises would take some time. It needs to be clarified whether all participants were allowed to carry the weapons on the premises with their gun ownership cards or if gun permits were required.

(APA/Red)

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