Bus Driver Insulted as "Shitty Foreigner": Verdict Against Viennese

The previously unblemished man may also face a jury trial for re-engaging in National Socialism. The public prosecutor's office is examining the initiation of proceedings under the Prohibition Act.

58-Year-Old Insulted Bus Driver and Attempted to Attack Him

It is certain that the 58-year-old verbally derailed on a bus of the Viennese lines in Hernals on July 6, 2024. Initially, he expressed dissatisfaction with the driving style of the bus driver, before he commented on the origin of the man from former Yugoslavia. He called him a "shitty foreigner" and according to the indictment, he also shouted "Go home, go back where you came from. No one needs you here". Finally, he even positioned himself in front of the driver and tried to punch him in the face while driving. The driver was able to dodge, so the punch only grazed his face.

Bus Driver Remained Calm

"I was stunned. I regret not intervening. I was in shock," a 64-year-old woman who was on the bus at the time described her perceptions as a witness. The victim himself remained calm and focused on driving the vehicle. "Every word was ugly," said the bus driver in his witness interview, "he provoked me a lot. I want to know the reason." "It's in the criminal complaint. Xenophobia," Judge Christian Gneist noted.

The defendant claimed that the witnesses' statements were lies or he could not remember anything due to his previous alcohol consumption. Judge Gneist did not believe him. Surprisingly, the 58-year-old, who was not represented by a lawyer, agreed with the probation sentence imposed on him.

Defendant Allegedly Shouted "Heil Hitler"

The man may still face a jury trial. As the bus driver reported, the 58-year-old is said to have boarded his bus again late in the evening on November 26 and made derogatory remarks. Before getting off, he shouted "Heil Hitler" twice, the driver recorded.

The prosecutor reacted immediately to this statement and formally extended the indictment towards re-engagement in National Socialism. This was not decided in today's trial - the judge excluded this point of the indictment, leaving the prosecution to independently pursue this offence. The representative of the public prosecutor's office left no doubt that she will continue to investigate.

(APA/Red)

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