Trial of Vienna imam over terror suspicions
A preacher with Egyptian roots denies allegations of antisemitic incitement and membership of a criminal organisation. The case is linked to the controversial "Luxor" police raid operation.
Trial of Vienna imam over terror suspicions
A clergyman with an Egyptian background declared himself not guilty on the first day of proceedings in the capital. The prosecution accuses him of inciting hatred against Jews in sermons and online videos, and of belonging to a criminal group.
According to the indictment, the man allegedly praised the Palestinian Hamas in his appearances and called for acts of violence. At a speech in 2014 in a mosque in Vienna's 2nd district, he is alleged to have praised the leadership of the movement and its armed wings. The accused rejected the allegations and distanced himself from Hamas.
His lawyer criticised the indictment as being politically motivated. The man had worked as a religious teacher for more than two decades without ever facing legal action. All his statements were publicly available. The defence also emphasised that the indictment was not based on evidence, but on an order from the Upper Court of Appeal in Graz.
The case is directly connected to the "Luxor" raid operation. Shortly after the attack in Vienna's city centre on 2 November 2020, security authorities conducted searches at associations in several federal states that were allegedly connected to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. The measures faced massive criticism. In 2021, it emerged that the raids had in part violated applicable law. The Upper Court of Appeal in Graz upheld several complaints against the searches.
According to the Graz public prosecutor's office, proceedings are still ongoing against thirteen persons. Other investigations have been discontinued or handed over to other authorities. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner declared in early June that investigations were continuing and every lead was being followed up.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)