IS network uncovered in St. Pölten: Focus on prevention for young people

IS network uncovered in St. Pölten: Focus on prevention for young people

Recently there were dramatic developments in St. Pölten and Melk: Safety officers found numerous illegal weapons, Nazi symbols, ammunition and even propaganda material from the Islamic State (IS) during house searches. These alarming discoveries have caused the authorities to intensify their measures to combat the radicalization of young people.

By uncovering a network of young IS supporters, the Ministry of the Interior in Austria has come under pressure to act more against such extremism efforts. The Niederösterreich (ÖVP) Volkspartei supports this initiative and demands faster implementation of prevention measures in schools to protect young people in particular.

young people in focus

There is special attention to the recent incidents in St. Pölten, where it was discovered that IS tries to recruit young people between the ages of 13 and 15. Florian Krumböck, youth spokesman for the ÖVP, was concerned about these developments and explained that the region was again associated with terrorist activities in the past. "We have to act decisively," Krumböck appealed to suffocate such influences in the germ.

Udo Landbauer, the deputy state party leader of the FPÖ, described the progressive radical Islam as a serious threat and demanded determined measures. He sees the need to proceed against this "radical swamp". In this worrying discussion, Martin Antauer, security spokesman for the FPÖ, expressed his resentment that well-known IS sympathizers are still living and active in Austria.

strengthening the prevention work

The Interior Ministry has announced that it will use 160 new civil servants for prevention work in schools. This is rated as a positive step by the ÖVP. The role of teachers and parents in particular is crucial to identify endangered young people at an early stage. Krumböck emphasized that prevention had to find a place in the classroom and that the cooperation of everyone involved was essential to act effectively against radicalization.

ÖVP state managing director Matthias Zauner addressed the importance of federal measures to combat extremism. He described the incidents in St. Pölten as a clear warning signal for all of Austria. "We are not allowed to give space to the radical networks that try to spread terrorideologies among young people," says Zauner. The protection of young people and the preservation of European values are top priority.

For further details on the investigation into the IS network and the expected measures, interested parties can report on www.meinbezirk.at view.