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Four sentenced for neo-Nazi acts

Four young adults from Vorarlberg have been handed suspended sentences for violating the Prohibition Law - which aims to suppress any potential revival of Nazism in Austria.

Four sentenced for neo-Nazi acts
Austrian court room. File photo: APA

Two 18-year-old men, a 17-year-old woman, and a 19-year-old man were all given suspended sentences for taking pictures of themselves making Nazi salutes in public places and singing xenophobic songs.

“We need another Hitler so that the Jews know what’s coming for them,” the only female defendant was quoted as saying when she was arrested. She was sentenced to eight months probation and a €960 fine.

One youth reportedly said that Hitler was “the messiah, he freed the German people”.

The defendants admitted their actions but said that they were very drunk at the time. They have sworn never to repeat them and have said they are willing to do vocational training and look for jobs.

The judge imposed suspended sentences of between eight months and a year. Two of the defendants have been ordered to serve four months in prison, and three were also convicted of burglary, theft, and injury.

Vienna Mayor Michael Häupl has called for a right-wing group calling themselves The Identity Movement to be banned under the Prohibition Act (Verbotsgesetz). 

The law prohibits Holocaust denial as well as the deliberate belittlement of any Nazi atrocities. 

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UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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