Austria-wide Islamism Raid: Weapons, Drugs and Mobile Phones Seized
In a coordinated operation against Islamist extremism, police searched nine houses and 235 rooms in prisons. Weapons, narcotics and data carriers were seized.
Nationwide Crackdown on Islamist Networks in Austria
As nachrichten.at reports, Austrian police conducted nine house searches and 17 interviews on Wednesday as part of a nationwide coordinated "Joint Action Day". The operation was aimed at combating Islamist extremism and terrorism, the Interior Ministry announced in a statement.
In Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Burgenland, Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria, the police secured numerous pieces of evidence: mobile phones, data carriers, laptops, various knives, two brass knuckles, a blank-firing pistol with magazine, narcotics and relevant literature. In Lower Austria, two preliminary weapons bans were also issued.
In parallel, a total of 235 rooms and 334 inmates were searched across 28 Austrian prisons. The seized items are currently being examined and evaluated as part of further investigations, according to the ministry.
Involved in the operation were the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN), all nine State Security and Extremism Prevention Offices (LSE) as well as the judiciary. Forces from the state police directorates, the police dog unit, the Rapid Intervention Group (SIG) and the Special Intervention Unit Cobra were also deployed.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) stated in the announcement: "Through this preventative strike, extremist developments are identified, analysed and prevented at an early stage. The goal is clear: to ensure the security of the people in our country on a sustainable basis." Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) highlighted the effective cooperation of the authorities involved.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)