Farewell to Sepp Forer: A freedom fighter leaves forever

Farewell to Sepp Forer: A freedom fighter leaves forever

Sepp Forer, the last of the legendary “Pusterer Buam”, died in exile in Ladis near Landeck at the age of 84. He was not only a central protagonist in the South Tyrolean struggle for freedom, but also a symbol of resistance against Italian rule. Forer died, after decades of being sentenced to life in prison in absentia, confident and in the shadow of his political convictions. The loss of Forer marks the end of an era; Now only Siegfried Steger is alive, the last survivor of the group that fought with explosive actions against the Italian government in the 1960s Small newspaper reported.

Sepp Forer's journey as a freedom fighter began early. At the age of 21, he joined the South Tyrolean resistance to fight against the radical Italianization policy. Together with his colleagues, he carried out numerous attacks, including on electricity pylons. Despite his bitter fighting, he was charged with the murder of a Carabinieri officer, which resulted in a life sentence in Italy in his absence. However, Forer was able to escape to North Tyrol and built a new life there, where he lived with his family until his death daily newspaper reported. During his lifetime he tirelessly defended his convictions and left a lasting impression as a champion of South Tyrol's right to self-determination.

The Tyrolean FPÖ and the South Tyrolean Rifle Association honored Forer's tireless commitment to freedom and the right to a homeland. “His legacy will guide us,” explained state parliament member Gudrun Kofler. Sven Knoll from South Tyrolean Freedom also emphasized the loss of a true patriot and mentioned that the crimes attributed to the “Pusterer Buam” must finally be solved. Forer's life and struggle will remain an inspiration for many South Tyroleans and a reminder of the importance of love for one's homeland and self-determination.