Headscarf and Turban Must Be Removed: Strict Controls at the Vienna Regional Court Cause Stir

The recently further tightened security measures at the Vienna Regional Court are causing a stir and delayed start times for proceedings.

Turban and Headscarf Searched: Security Measures at Vienna Regional Court Further Tightened

A man with a turban was initially not allowed to pass through the security checkpoint on Wednesday. He had to remove his turban, which was then searched in a separate area for any dangerous components. Women with headscarves are also no longer allowed through.

Women who wear headscarves for religious reasons and have an appointment at the Grauen Haus must remove their headscarves in the entrance area of the Grauen Haus and have them checked since last week. Only when it is ensured that there are no weapons or dangerous objects underneath are they allowed through.

Verbal Attacks and Delays as a Result of the Tightened Controls

The particularly strict security measures naturally take some time. The queues of people forming in front of the checkpoint sometimes extend to the street in the morning. Verbal insults directed at the security personnel are no longer uncommon. Proceedings now regularly begin with significant delays of up to half an hour because jurors or lay judges cannot make it to the courtroom on time.

As reported by "Der Standard" in its online edition, a woman summoned as a juror on Wednesday was upset when she entered the courtroom 30 minutes after the start of a trial and was sent away because the trial had already begun with two other lay judges. "It's not my fault that I was late," the woman exclaimed, referring to the queue at the security check. With the words "This is an outrage!" and "This is a disgrace!" she berated the presiding judge and promised, "I certainly won't come a second time!"

(APA/Red)

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