The final resting places of Roma and Sinti are affected. The police are investigating charges including disturbing the peace of the dead and burglary. The perpetrators are still unknown.
Several graves of Roma and Sinti people in various cemeteries in Vienna have been broken into in order to steal jewelry from them. Several valuable items were stolen. As the Vienna State Police Directorate announced on Thursday, investigations are underway against as yet unknown perpetrators on suspicion of serious damage to property, disturbing the peace of the dead and burglary.
Patrols in the area of the affected cemeteries (Central Cemetery, Stammersdorf Cemetery, Gross-Jedlersdorf Cemetery) were intensified after the incidents, and video surveillance footage was secured. However, according to the State Police Directorate, work at the crime scene is proving difficult. There is currently no information about the extent of the damage or possible suspects.
The spokesperson for memorial policy Eva Blimlinger and the spokesperson for ethnic groups and general secretary Olga Voglauer (both Greens) were dismayed by the incidents – especially in light of the recent introduction of a national Roma Holocaust Memorial Day on August 2 in Austria. The horror in the Roma and Sinti community is also great. (APA)
