Number of Right-Wing Extremist Crimes in Austria Explodes

In 2023, 1,208 cases were registered, and in 2024, 1,486 cases. Of these, 404 occurred on the internet, and 91 percent of the perpetrators are male. For SPÖ Member of Parliament Sabine Schatz, these numbers are alarming: "This record figure must prompt all democratic forces to stand up for our democracy at every level now."

Right-Wing Extremist Crimes: Reports Under the Prohibition Act Also Increased Significantly

Of the acts subsumed under the term right-wing extremism, 1,296 were explicitly right-wing extremist motivated, 97 racist, 59 anti-Semitic, and 9 Islamophobic, according to the response to the inquiry. This is shown by the figures from the Constitutional Protection Report. Statistics on how many acts were explicitly directed against Roma and Romnja or Sinti and Sintizze are not kept. There was also a significant increase in reports under the Prohibition Act. These rose from 1,203 in 2024 to 1,450. Reports of incitement have decreased from 177 in 2023 to 156 in the previous year - however, there has been a significant increase in court convictions in this area. As the Ministry of Justice announced in response to an APA inquiry, 37 convictions for incitement were recorded in 2024. The year before, there were 22.

Regarding National Socialist re-engagement under § 3g of the Prohibition Act, convictions decreased from 198 in 2023 to 164 in the previous year, although there may still be adjustments in this regard. Statistically, only final judgments are recorded, but not all convictions for re-engagement may have become final by the end of the year, a ministry spokeswoman suspected. Convictions for denying the National Socialist genocide and the National Socialist crimes against humanity (§ 3h of the Prohibition Act) have remained almost the same: twelve convictions were recorded in 2023, and 13 in the following year.

Ministry of the Interior Attributes Increase in Reports to Extensive Investigations

The Ministry of the Interior stated on Wednesday to the APA that the increase in reported acts is "not least due to the extensive investigative measures of the Directorate for State Protection and Counter-Terrorism in recent years." More investigative pressure generally means an increase in reported acts, as the dark field is reduced. The newly established State Offices for State Protection and Counter-Terrorism have also contributed to further reducing the dark field. "The Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service and the State Offices will continue to take consistent action against right-wing extremism," the ministry emphasized.

Three-Party Coalition Plans Action Plan Against Right-Wing Extremism

The new government consisting of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS plans to develop a National Action Plan against Right-Wing Extremism. The government program also includes a commitment to publish a right-wing extremism report every year. Just a few weeks ago, the report was published by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Documentation Archive of the Austrian Resistance (DÖW). The FPÖ was prominently featured in it, which subsequently attacked the DÖW. There are also plans to monitor messenger services. "In addition to the dramatic increase in right-wing extremist crimes, the frequent discovery of weapons in the scene shows how important decisive action is," emphasized Schatz, who has been inquiring about the number of right-wing extremist crimes semi-annually since 2017. "Combating right-wing extremism remains one of the greatest challenges of our time."

Action Plan Against Right-Wing Extremism: MKÖ and Antifa Demand Swift Implementation

The Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) has been demanding such an action plan since 2013. "That it is finally included in the government program is an important step forward. But it is also highly necessary: Our fear that the record of right-wing extremist crimes from 2023 will be surpassed has unfortunately been confirmed," said MKÖ Chairman Willi Mernyi. The Upper Austrian Network Against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism (Antifa Network) also expressed dismay: "The government cannot simply continue with business as usual. In the spirit of the clear anti-fascist mandate of the federal constitution, the action plan must be developed and implemented immediately with the involvement of civil society!" emphasized their spokesperson Robert Eiter.

The DÖW also reacted with concern on Wednesday about the "enormous increase." With the new government's plans to combat right-wing extremism, Director Andreas Kranebitter expressed general satisfaction: "I am pleased that the new government takes the problem very seriously - and has clearly committed in its program to continue the right-wing extremism report." However, this can only be part of a bundle of measures. The intention to initiate an action plan is welcomed, and every step will be supported, said Kranebitter, whether it be educational programs to strengthen democracy, more detailed monitoring of right-wing extremism, new offers for those wishing to exit the scene, support for victims of right-wing extremism, or campaigns against hate speech on the internet.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.