After the riots on Halloween night 2022 in Linz, the State Security Council met again on Monday. At the invitation of Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP), State Police Director Andreas Pilsl informed about the results of the investigation so far. According to this, five suspects have been sentenced to prison terms so far, and one other person is in custody. Ten to 15 criminal cases are likely to follow in the near future.
Pilsl thanked the public prosecutor’s office in Linz for the good cooperation and also presented the results of the specially set up “task force”, which were forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior as recommendations.
In order to be able to take better action against this in the future, the federal legislature should create a new criminal offense called “serious communal disorder”. In the future, the executive should be allowed to expel everyone present from the square in the event of riots. In addition, the country wants to take measures to prevent violence, such as workshops in schools and youth centers.
In the case of right-wing extremist crimes, a drop in reports was registered in 2022, according to Pilsl: from 222 to 187. Two thirds of the cases have been clarified. The arson attack on the refugee camp under construction on Lunzerstrasse was also an issue in the State Security Council. Stelzer emphasized the “peaceful and respectful coexistence” – if you don’t stick to it, “there is no place for you in our country”. It is also clear that “young people need prospects.” The decline in right-wing extremist crimes “should not make us feel safe”.
The SP welcomes the prevention work against juvenile delinquency, said club chairwoman Sabine Engleitner-Neu. But the head of the state government has failed to take concrete measures against right-wing crimes. The Greens are similar: the preventive measures are correct, but concrete steps are also needed to prevent future attacks on asylum accommodation, according to extremism spokeswoman Anne-Sophie Bauer.
The FP also saw itself confirmed after the State Security Council: The “increase in violence against foreigners” is forcing politicians to act. Upper Austria must not become a “plaything between Vienna and the EU”, rapid deportations and a “reform of youth criminal law” are needed, according to provincial councilor Günther Steinkellner.
