Strong acquittals in the process of identity – News

All accused in the sensational "identity" trial of Graz were all acquitted of allegations of incitement and the formation of a criminal organization. Two defendants were each fined for material damage, one for coercion and personal injury. Judgments are not final.

The Identity Mission in the Mediterranean

"Front of Cowards"

"They portray themselves as a respectful front of For me, they are not a front of patriots, but a front of cowards. "With these words, the prosecutor on Thursday examined the members of the" Movement of Austrian Identity "(IBÖ) in the district court from Graz in his closing plea. It was the end of a process that had lasted all month.

Identities are "pseudomorists claiming to protect the state," says the prosecutor, "they avoid any differentiation because harbadment is easier. Criticism is difficult. "It was also telling to him that in one action, a young woman was" sent "to" spray walls ", while men in the predominantly male group remained behind.

The Defendants

Die 16 The men and a woman standing in the Graz Regional Court are between the ages of 22 and 35 and come from Styria, Carinthia and Upper Austria. 39, among them are students, one still goes to school.The rest works, for example, as a mason or locksmith.They have been accused of a variety of crimes, including l & # 39; 39, attach a banner with the words "Islamization kills" on the roof of the Green Party headquarters in Graz

The lawsuit against the IBÖ, scheduled for several weeks, began with increased security measures. guarded the entrances, in addition to the visitors and defendants was also great media interest. At times, jammers were even used – as the judge explained, he knew the trial should have been stormed. By paralyzing the possibility of intervention, it was possible to prevent "action".

Actions of Accused

The accused, all members of the right-wing extremist IBO, were notably charged with participating in a criminal organization. The charge, property damage and coercion were also at the expense: "The indictment relates to four incidents that were referred to by the prosecutor's office Graz as verhetzerisch and commission of the criminal organization.These four incidents took place between April 2016 and March 2017, "said spokesman Graz prosecutor Hansjörg Bacher.

In addition to the incident with the banner at the Green Party headquarters in Graz, was called to the charge of hatred against refugees and Muslims, was also an action in Klagenfurt part of the 39, indictment, There, a conference on asylum and migration to the university was taken badault, leaflets with the inscription "L & # 39; integration is a lie "have been distributed. Third Allegation: In Maria Lankowitz, in Voitsberg District, the accused allegedly veiled holy figures with black garbage bags in the direction of the burqa vault. In fourth action, the prosecution mentioned attaching a banner with Islamophobic slogans on the roof of the Turkish Embbady in Vienna

"Incarcerated Middle"

From the very beginning , the IBÖ was immersed in actions "in a stifling environment" the prosecutor. Starting in 2016, actions that "incite hatred against specific groups" have intensified. The IBO intentionally intends to hurt, insult and discredit foreigners, refugees and Muslims, the prosecutor said. They are well organized, have a strict "strictly military hierarchical order".

During the trial, the defendants remained at liberty, threatened with up to three years in prison. The defense lawyer met the prosecutor with incomprehension. He did not understand the indictment, he said at the beginning of the trial, it was freedom of expression, provocative actionism but no harbadment. The process is over five days earlier than planned.

Stay up-to-date with today.at's newsletter

You might also be interested:

(red)