Asylum seeker in Feldkirch back in court: Hamas postings and evidence destruction
A 30-year-old Jordanian faces trial at Feldkirch Regional Court over glorification of Hamas crimes and destruction of evidence.
Jordanian asylum seeker charged in Feldkirch over Hamas postings
Google News AT — Crime (de) reports: Since Thursday, a 30-year-old Jordanian asylum seeker has been back in court at Feldkirch Regional Court. According to the indictment, he posted and endorsed crimes by the terrorist organisation Hamas in Israel on his social media accounts in October.
The man has been waiting in Austria for four years for his asylum proceedings to conclude. "I am persecuted in my homeland because I am against the government," he stated. His hatred of Jordanian state authority had already resulted in a prior conviction in Austria.
Incident at consulate as background
In August 2025, the man entered the Jordanian consulate in Dornbirn despite an existing ban on entry. Via livestream, he incited hatred against his homeland's government and threatened to "set the consulate on fire". The state security service investigated, and Feldkirch Regional Court subsequently imposed a partially suspended fine.
Mobile phone struck against table edge
The current proceedings also include the charge of destruction of evidence. During a house search, the defendant allegedly struck a mobile phone repeatedly against a table edge. He attempted to tear a second device from its stand—an intervening police officer only just prevented this.
Defendant denies charges — trial adjourned
In court, the 30-year-old pleaded not guilty: "It is not true that I celebrated Hamas." The trial quickly stalled, however. The defendant presented the judge with a letter from Caritas and requested a legal representative, stating he was unable to defend himself. Both the prosecutor and the judge showed understanding for the request given the complex legal situation.
The trial will continue on 1 October. At that point, the question of the man's asylum status could also be revisited.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)