Austrian police have broken up an extreme right network reports Home Secretary Nehammer. During searches during the past week, 90 weapons, 76 of which were (semi-) automatic, and six explosives were found. Seven suspects were also arrested, two of them in the German state of Bavaria.
The Austrian police speak of the largest weapon find in Austria in decades. According to Nehammer, the weapons were intended to build a right-wing militia. This would be done in collaboration with German neo-Nazis and motorcycle gangs.
The network revolves around the weapons and drug dealer Peter B., one of those arrested. He was known to the authorities for his neo-Nazi views. According to The standard B. was already prosecuted in the 90s for a series of bomb letters and the setting up of a neo-Nazi movement.
The police got his network into view after the German colleagues investigated his drug trade. It later emerged that the proceeds from the drug sales were used to supply the militia with “war material,” as Nehammer describes the confiscated weapons.
The magnitude of the weapon find has taken the police by surprise, investigator Michael Mimra told the Austrian press. He emphasizes that the investigation is still in full swing. For example, it is currently being investigated whether the network was involved in recent crimes in Austria or elsewhere in Europe.
More neo-Nazism
Just today, the Vienna Public Prosecution Service announced five members of another, now inactive, right-wing extremist network to prosecute because of “preparation for high treason” and violation of the prohibition of national socialism. It carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. In the past, the group hatched plans to “rebuild” the Third Reich.
Minister Nehammer (ÖVP) is calling for additional measures against the brisk trade in illegal weapons and the neo-Nazi community in the country. His coalition partner The Greens responded to the arrests with a proposal for a “National Action Plan against right-wing extremism”, reports CUSTOM.
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