Austria Arrests 15 in Wave of Hate Crime Attacks Against LGBTQ People

Austrian police said today they had arrested 15 people on suspicion of a wave of hate crime attacks against LGBTQ people in raids across the country.

The Investigation

The 12 men and three women are suspected of assaulting and robbing LGBTQ people “under the guise of vigilante justice”, claiming the group’s actions were aimed at “combating paedophiles”, police said.

The suspects are accused of creating fake accounts on dating platforms to lure LGBTQ people to sometimes remote locations, where they were attacked, robbed and humiliated.

Authorities said the perpetrators – who were sometimes masked – were out to humiliate the victims by filming the assaults and later sharing the clips online.

The Raids

More than 400 police officers and criminal investigators carried out the raids at 23 locations in seven Austrian provinces today, police said.

The Findings

The case which triggered the Austrian investigation happened in July near the city of Graz, where a victim was lured into a nearby forest before violently robbed, police spokesman Sabri Yorgun told AFP.

Authorities said the alleged perpetrators are between 14 and 26 years old and include 11 Austrians, one German, one Croatian and one Romanian citizen, as well as one suspect who was arrested in neighbouring Slovakia.

At least 17 criminal offences have so far been established in connection with the investigation, including attempted murder.

But police cautioned that the number of cases is probably much higher.

Weapons and Nazi memorabilia were also found during the raids.

Hate Crimes in Austria

A total of 5,668 hate crimes were recorded in 2023 in Austria, with violence against sexual minorities sharply up on the previous year.

In its latest report, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found that the discrimination against LGBTQ people across Europe “remains high”, with “more violence, harassment and bullying” than before.

Background

Same-sex couples in Austria have been allowed to marry and adopt children since 2019.

Conclusion

The arrests are a significant step in combating the growing trend of hate crimes against LGBTQ people in Austria. However, the issue of discrimination and violence remains a major concern, and it is essential for authorities to continue to take action to protect the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

FAQs

Q: How many people were arrested in the raids?

A: 15 people were arrested in the raids.

Q: What were the suspects accused of?

A: The suspects are accused of assaulting and robbing LGBTQ people “under the guise of vigilante justice”, claiming the group’s actions were aimed at “combating paedophiles”, police said.

Q: How many criminal offences have been established in connection with the investigation?

A: At least 17 criminal offences have so far been established in connection with the investigation, including attempted murder.

Q: What was the motivation behind the attacks?

A: The suspects claimed that their actions were aimed at “combating paedophiles”, but authorities believe they were simply motivated by hate and intolerance.