Report Against Federal Army Officer After Weapons Exercises in Vorchdorf

The federal army officer, who is stationed in Salzburg, is said to have given a racist speech as a private individual at an event of the Upper Austrian Comradeship Association in the Braunau district in 2018, as first reported by "krone.at". The Ministry of Defense filed a criminal complaint at the time, but the proceedings were discontinued, although a disciplinary procedure followed. "In the course of this, he received a different service assignment," explained Bauer, who was not allowed to provide information about the outcome of the procedure.

After weapons exercises in Vorchdorf: Police file charges against federal army officer

In the current case, the police have now filed charges, but the ministry had not yet received a report on Thursday. Only then will a decision be made on possible disciplinary consequences, Bauer said. The colonel participated in the weapons exercise as a private individual.

19 people, including a few women, from Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Carinthia reportedly conducted target practice on the agricultural property on Saturday. An alarm was raised by a witness 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."

However, the said federal army soldier is alleged to have contributed to the situation escalating after the police arrived, which is why he was reported. So far, there have been no police charges against the participants for violating the weapons law. A spokeswoman for the Wels public prosecutor's office stated in the afternoon that "after consultation with the police, it is highly likely that no report will be submitted to the public prosecutor's office this week."

Greens and SPÖ do not rule out proximity to extremism

In light of the newly revealed details about the weapons exercise, the Greens are questioning whether "with each new finding, an image of extremism" is coming closer. Persons, organizations, and associations behind this "target practice as well as their further connections and networks" must be thoroughly examined, demanded Upper Austria's Green Club Chairman Severin Mayr in a statement. SPÖ Member of Parliament Sabine Schatz has submitted two parliamentary inquiries to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense. She wants clarification of a possible "extremist or anti-state background" of the individuals, and "whether the property was already in the focus of the authorities."

(APA/Red)

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