Political tensions in Innsbruck: Arrests after party building attacks

Political tensions in Innsbruck: Arrests after party building attacks

In a remarkable incident in Innsbruck, six people were arrested who were suspected of having acted in connection with damage to party buildings. The police put the damage at a high five-digit euro amount. Those arrests, which officials said were a response to suspected criminal activity, led to a rally by the Innsbruck anti-repression group, which sharply criticized the treatment of the suspects and the police's actions.

Such a development is not commonplace. On September 26, 2024, the police carried out several house searches, targeting not only apartments but also a bar called “Il Corvo”. The suspects, aged between 26 and 37 and from Austria, Italy and Germany, were released a short time later after being interrogated and DNA tested. The group is accused of having repeatedly damaged party buildings in Innsbruck since March 2024, including the ÖVP headquarters and the FPÖ citizens' office.

Criticism of the police's actions

In a public statement, the anti-repression group expressed its dissatisfaction with the massive police measures. Not only were several people arrested in the early hours of the morning, but the police also used specially trained units to carry out the searches. The group described the attacks as disproportionate, especially since the allegations of forming a criminal organization were based on damage to property of little financial relevance. “The criminal organization is constructed based on some damage to property, and that starts at just 5,000 euros in damage,” criticized a spokesman.

The protest group was founded in 2021 to fight against state attacks on political activists. They see the recent police measures as a political blow against left-wing movements and are committed to supporting those affected. The group emphasizes allegations that the police want to spread an atmosphere of fear and criminalize the activists. If further attacks occur in the region, the anti-repression group is appealing for unity to counteract the threat of division.

These incidents trigger not only legal but also social discussions about how to deal with political statements and the space that activism occupies in our society. The topic will also play a role in future rallies and discourses.

For more detailed information about the incidents and the associated social reactions, see the current reporting on www.meinkreis.at.