Vienna police officers charged after arrest with severe consequences for Ukrainian
A 54-year-old from Ukraine suffered a stroke during an arrest at Schwarzenbergplatz. Four officers now face trial at a court in the Austrian capital.
Vienna police officers charged after arrest with severe consequences for Ukrainian
In May 2024, an operation in Vienna's city centre resulted in severe injury to a man from Ukraine. Four executive service personnel now face trial at the Regional Criminal Court of the capital. The hearing has been scheduled for a full day.
The affected man had been residing in Austria since 2012. On 9 May 2024, a day of commemoration for the unknown soldier, he protested at Schwarzenbergplatz against a wreath-laying ceremony by Russian diplomats at the Soviet war memorial located there. Law enforcement became aware of the 54-year-old because he was loudly expressing his opposition to the war of aggression against his native country. Officers identified administrative violations. After a warning, the man did not calm down. While establishing his identity, he allegedly grabbed a police officer by the vest.
The officer then brought the Ukrainian to the ground. According to the indictment, this was done improperly: the officer seized the man in the shoulder and neck area and threw him to the ground with a twisting and pulling motion. Subsequently, he attempted to place the detainee in a prone position using an arm hold. In doing so, he pressed his knee with great force against the man's neck and throat area. A forensic medical report later confirmed trauma in this region. The police officer is charged with negligent assault causing significant impairment to health.
The detainee was then taken to the executive detention facility at Rossauer Lände. There, he reported physical complaints and activated the emergency alarm button in his cell. According to the indictment, neither the person responsible at the reception facility nor the guard responded to these signals. The man sat locked up for hours without receiving assistance.
According to the indictment, signs of a cerebral stroke were unmistakable in him: his mouth corners were drooping, his speech was unclear, his gait was unsteady and his balance was disturbed. He reported visual problems and double vision to those present and requested that the ambulance service be called. The two officers allegedly refused and did not respond to cries for help. Furthermore, the events were allegedly not recorded in the log.
Towards evening, the man was brought before a legal advisor for the executive service – in a wheelchair, as he could no longer walk independently. The lawyer conducted an interview around 21:00 despite the person being obviously unable to speak or look after his interests. According to the indictment, the legal advisor noted that the man had waived a defence counsel and apologised. A protocol officer later testified under oath that the detainee was slumped over and only uttered unintelligible sounds. The lawyer issued a penalty notice even though he must have been aware that the right to be heard had not been observed.
At 22:00, the Ukrainian was released from custody. He immediately called the emergency services. The paramedics recognised the urgency and took him to Vienna General Hospital. He was treated at the stroke unit of the university neurology clinic.
An expert report commissioned by the prosecution confirms that the now 56-year-old suffered severe maltreatment with lasting consequences. Since the stroke, he has suffered from burning sensory disturbances on the right side of his body, disturbed balance and an unsteady gait. Previously he worked as a building cleaner; now he is unable to work.
The legal advisor is charged with abuse of authority and assault and neglect of a prisoner. The head of the reception facility and the guard must also answer for assault and neglect of a prisoner. All the accused are presumed innocent.
The man had a blood alcohol level of 0.76 per mille at the time of arrest.
Source: News.at
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)