Suspicion of Terrorism: Search Conducted at British Journalist's Residence in Vienna

Austrian security authorities conducted a terror raid this week on the British investigative journalist Richard Medhurst, known for his pro-Palestinian reports. "They broke into my house and office and took all my devices," Medhurst wrote on X. "They accused me of being a Hamas member and threatened me with ten years in prison." The raid and the proceedings were confirmed to the APA by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office.

Terror Raid on British Investigative Journalist Medhurst

"An investigation is underway," said the spokeswoman for the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office, Nina Bussek, to the APA on Saturday. She confirmed that there had been house searches at two locations and that there was an initial suspicion of a criminal offense. Whether the public prosecutor acted on its own initiative or there was a report, she did not want to say. Nor did she provide information on which devices were secured. "What was necessary for the investigation was secured," emphasized Bussek.

Lawyer Sees "Attack on Press and Freedom of Expression"

Medhurst's legal representative sharply criticized the authorities' actions on Saturday evening and announced a complaint against the seizure to the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Vienna. The actions of the public prosecutor's office lacked any basis, said the Vienna lawyer Astrid Wagner in conversation with the APA: "He has nothing to do with Hamas. He is a Christian and committed to Christian values."

With the confiscation of his equipment, Medhurst is being hindered in his professional activities: "He is currently writing a book and is engaged in journalism." Wagner described the "repressions" against her client as an "attack on press and freedom of expression." If journalists are targeted so massively, "democracy is in danger."

According to a report by the "Kronen Zeitung," the raids were carried out by state security. Medhurst could not invoke editorial confidentiality in this case. Privately, he is not a journalist, which is why seizures are possible, explained Bussek. Whether, when, and to what extent he will get the seized items back also depends on whether the contents found are criminal. If this is the case, they will "not be returned," said the spokeswoman.

Medhurst Vehemently Denies Terror Allegations

Medhurst expressed outrage over the terror allegations against him. "They think that I - a Christian from England - am a member of Hamas. Yes, you heard correctly: they accuse me of being a member of Hamas, the Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades, of inciting terrorism, spreading propaganda, and being connected with organized crime and a terror group. It read like something out of 'Twilight Zone'," he said, referring to the iconic US television series from the 1950s, the predecessor of world-famous mystery series like "The X-Files" or "X Factor".

Appointment at Immigration Office Allegedly Triggered Raid

The Briton reported in the video that he is accredited as a journalist in Austria. The raid was initiated by a summons at the immigration office. During the appointment, he was thinly veiled threatened with the revocation of his residence permit. Subsequently, state security officers appeared, showed him the prosecutor's search warrant, confiscated his phone, and took it to the searches. "I had to watch as my devices were dismantled before my eyes. All the things I have invested in for years, the core of my journalistic work," lamented the journalist. Five or six different laptops and computers were confiscated, as well as USB sticks, hard drives, and DVDs.

Vienna Prosecutor's Office Reveals No Further Details on Case

Medhurst further stated that he had been arrested in London a few months ago under anti-terror laws. Just last week, the British police ordered the continuation of the related investigations, "and then suddenly this happens in Vienna. I don't believe that's a mere coincidence." The Austrian officials denied to him that the order came from the UK. "I don't believe that," said Medhurst. At the same time, he emphasized that the officers treated him respectfully. Prosecutor Bussek did not want to provide the APA with further details on the circumstances that led her office to act in the case.

(APA/Red)

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