Two-Year Entry Ban for German Climate Activist Anja Windl in Austria

"The authority's reasoning lacks any basis," criticized the lawyer of the German climate activist Anja Windl, Ralf Niederhammer, on Monday. Windl has never been criminally convicted in Austria, yet the prerequisite for such a ban is a "serious threat to public order or safety" due to her long stay in Austria, explained Niederhammer.

"However, she is often accused of the activities of the 'Last Generation' and her social media appearances," he criticized. "It is unclear to me how this poses such a threat that justifies a residence ban," said the lawyer. "The BFA even accuses her of wanting to change the political conditions in Austria. Considering that she advocates for the demands of the Climate Council, this is somewhat curious."

Lawyer to File Complaint Against Residence Ban for Climate Activist Anja Windl

In the decision available to the APA from last Thursday, the 28-year-old is attributed, among other things, a "leading role" in recruiting new members and is attested a "focus" in the "field of public relations." She has also appeared "police-wise" several times on suspicion of criminal acts. However, her "quarrelsome tendency" is not an expression of activism but is aimed at a "far-reaching disturbance of public peace and order," as stated in the document. Niederhammer announced a complaint to the Federal Administrative Court. This will also suspend the legally prescribed four-week period to leave the country.

Climate Activist Anja Windl: "Will Not Leave the Country Voluntarily"

Windl herself spoke to the APA of "an attempt to take action against peaceful protest." A "disturbing handling of activism is being normalized." She has had her "center of life in Austria" for seven years, said Windl. "I will not leave the country voluntarily." The BFA has been examining "a residence-terminating measure" against her since March 2023. The Ministry of the Interior had then referred to data protection. Regarding the general procedure for residence bans, the ministry stated on Monday that "all relevant information is collected and the circumstances of each individual case are carefully examined" during the process. "The assessment under immigration law is carried out independently and separately from the criminal courts," it further stated. It is always "an administrative legal measure to protect against dangers to public order and safety."

Criminal Proceedings Against Climate Activist Anja Windl Ongoing

Windl has been living in Klagenfurt since autumn 2017. The Bavarian student is considered one of the faces of the Austrian offshoot of the climate protection movement "Last Generation," which was dissolved in August 2024. Together with the group, she has protested against the federal government's climate policy in recent years, including with traffic blockades on roads or highways. The question of the criminal relevance of the protests remains unresolved. Investigations by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office on suspicion of forming a criminal organization and serious property damage against the student and other former members of the "Last Generation" have been ongoing since November 2023.

(APA/Red)

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