Charges Against 42 People from Former "Last Generation"
The accusation of forming a criminal organization, however, is off the table. "The facts at hand did not meet the criteria," said authority spokeswoman Nina Bussek to the APA.
An activist from the group of main defendants must also answer in court for resisting state authority and serious bodily harm, according to the indictment available to the APA. During an action in October 2023 in front of the St. Pölten Landhaus, he allegedly caused a police officer to fall by swinging a prepared fire extinguisher. In addition to the blockade actions, the indictment also lists incidents from the past year - such as several paint-throwing actions in other federal states and at Vienna-Schwechat Airport - as well as a protest action with dog feces in front of the ÖVP party headquarters in Vienna in January.
Trial a "Farce" for Former Spokesperson Hagen-Canaval
With 42 defendants, more than 20 summoned witnesses, defense attorneys, and representatives of the judiciary, a mega-trial is imminent. "This brings logistical challenges for us," said court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn. Salzborn pointed to ongoing renovation work at the regional court, which is why the large jury courtroom will not be available for some time. "We have to come up with something now," Salzborn said.
The former spokesperson of the "Last Generation," Marina Hagen-Canaval, referred to the trial as "a farce." The charges served "only to deter civic engagement," she told the APA. They were ready to face the consequences of the protests. However, "an inactive government" must also face these, said the former movement.
"The public prosecutor's office has now realized itself that the climate protests are about property damage - not the activities of a criminal organization," said lawyer Paul Kessler from the defense team of the accused in response to an APA inquiry. He spoke of "grossly exaggerated accusations." They will now "also look at how much of the property damage remains in the end," added lawyer Clemens Lahner, who also represents some of the former protesters. Lawyer Ralf Niederhammer called for "a sober and factual trial after the political excitement in recent years and exaggerated accusations."
Investigations Against Former "Last Generation"
The investigations on suspicion of forming a criminal organization and serious property damage became known in 2023 after a wave of protests in November. The activists had cemented themselves with a sand-superglue mixture - so-called "mummy hands" - among other places on the Vienna Ring and the South Motorway (A2). The fire department then had to chisel several protesters off the roadway. "The protests have reached a new level," Judith Ziska from the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office explained at the time.
The intensified approach of the judiciary subsequently led to broad public discussions and several parliamentary inquiries. Numerous NGOs criticized the proceedings.
(APA/Red)
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