Investigations After Shooting at Mosque in Hollabrunn

Shots were also fired at the local office of the Green Party in the district town and at a parked car, police spokesman Johann Baumschlager announced on Monday upon request. Possible connections are being examined, and a forensic investigation of the secured projectiles is planned.

The shot at the mosque is believed to have been fired around midnight. Also on Sunday night, shots were fired at the car about one and a half kilometers away, Baumschlager explained. A projectile was secured. On Monday, two shots at the local office of the Hollabrunn Greens were also reported, which, according to the police spokesman, are believed to have been fired between Friday and Monday.

The State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism is investigating. They are particularly examining whether there is a religious or political background to the incidents. The forensic investigation of the secured projectiles will be carried out "so that we know whether they were fired from the same weapon," emphasized Baumschlager. The police also announced increased patrol activity for Hollabrunn.

Suspicious Observations Are Requested

Information - especially suspicious observations on Sunday night - can be directed to the Hollabrunn police station. They can be received at the phone number 059 133/3410.

"We strongly condemn such political acts of violence," responded Georg Ecker, member of the state parliament and spokesperson for the Greens Hollabrunn. Ecker criticized the ÖVP in a written statement, which "recently created an inflammatory atmosphere with advertisements."

"Shots and willful damage to religious beliefs and political organizations are to be condemned in the strongest terms. Such behavior cannot be justified by anything," responded state parliament member Richard Hogl, who is also the district chairman of the ÖVP. "Trying to make political capital out of such highly dangerous incidents is intolerable," he directed in a written statement to the Greens. "We strongly reject the accusations against the People's Party!"

Albanian Religious Community and IKG Condemn Shooting at Mosque

Previously, the Albanian Religious Community also spoke out about the shooting at the mosque. "The Albanian Muslim community in Austria strongly condemns this act of violence against a religious institution," it was stated via Facebook. An appeal was made to politics and the public to "refrain from any form of incitement or hate speech against religious institutions and their members." Similarly, on Monday, Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community (IKG), expressed on X. "We strongly condemn this attack on a religious institution. Even if the motive is still unclear, a de-escalation of language towards Muslims and other minorities in Austria is long overdue."

At the time of the incident, no one was in the mosque premises, and there were no injuries. Shortly before, about six people had left the building. The chairman of the association, who lives on the upper floor of the house, heard a bang shortly after midnight. When he met with another person a little later - independently of this - he discovered, according to police information, the bullet hole in the entrance area. The projectile had pierced the frame of the entrance door, went through a room and a double-glazed window, and remained in the courtyard, where it was secured.

(APA/Red)

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