Request About Identitarian Camp: Greens Received Few Answers

A parliamentary inquiry by the Greens regarding a training camp of the Identitarians near Gmunden to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) has remained almost unanswered. Karner justified this with the interest of confidentiality to protect current and future investigations. "It is remarkable that the Ministry of the Interior cannot provide more," said Green MP Ralph Schallmeiner, expressing disappointment to the "Oberösterreichische Nachrichten" (Monday edition).

The training camp of the Identitarians is said to have taken place in August at Laudachsee near Gmunden. According to the Greens, "right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis from the entire German-speaking area" participated. The inquiry submitted to Karner in early September contains images that were reportedly posted by those depicted, including Martin Sellner. They show, for example, combat training, with participants "staging themselves like a paramilitary group," according to the Green MPs.

25 Questions Asked

They had a whole series of questions for Karner. Among other things, they wanted to know whether the security authorities were aware of the event, whether participants were checked and, for example, violations of the Symbols Act were documented, whether there are now investigations, etc.

Of the total 25 questions, most were not answered at all. "Due to the overriding interest of confidentiality and the maintenance of public order and safety, a detailed response to the questions must be refrained from," writes Karner. "The disclosure of detailed information could counteract current or future investigations, make the fulfillment of tasks by the security authorities more difficult or impossible in certain areas, and thus run counter to the security interests of the Republic of Austria," it continues.

Three Questions Answered

Only three questions were answered, albeit without any real informational content: Two questions relate to contacts with foreign security authorities. It is merely emphasized that "international cooperation has been a fixed component of operational and strategic crime fighting for many years."

And regarding the question of whether the Identitarians are classified as a "threat to democratic coexistence and public safety and order," reference is merely made to the constitutional protection report. There, the Identitarian Movement (IBÖ) is described as the "most significant group within the 'New Right'" and it states: "In their rhetoric, the IBÖ outwardly professes democracy, but their understanding of democracy fundamentally differs from that of a democratic constitutional state."

(APA/Red)

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