Public Prosecutor's Office Investigates Viennese Imam for Incitement to Hatred
Der Standard, March 19, 2024
German original: https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000212545/staatsanwaltschaft-ermittelt-gegen-wiener-imam-wegen-verhetzung
The man resigned in mid-February following anti-Semitic Facebook postings. A house search was carried out at his address on Monday.
Vienna - The Vienna public prosecutor's office is now officially investigating an imam for incitement to hatred, who resigned from his position in mid-February following several antisemitic Facebook posts. This was confirmed by authority spokesperson Nina Bussek. Accordingly, proceedings were initiated following a detailed examination of the text posts. Bussek also announced that a house search was carried out at the man's address last Monday. The "Kurier" first reported on the house search.
For the time being, there was no information on what was seized. The corresponding report or the evaluation is not yet available, the public prosecutor's office said Wednesday afternoon in response to an APA inquiry.
The imam of the Assalam mosque at the Schöpfwerk in Vienna-Meidling had come to the attention of the prosecution authorities with antisemitic remarks. "Oh Allah, defeat the Jews and support the Mujaheddin who are fighting for Allah in Palestine", he posted on Facebook. He also said "Murder flows in their veins, they are the Jews! A despicable people, criminals, bloodthirsty people ... They only understand the language of blood and murder" and "Allah, (...) don't let any of them (meaning: Jews, note) live". The Facebook profile can no longer be found.
Islamic religious community imposes ban on activity
After the postings became known, the Islamic Religious Community (IGGÖ) described his statements as an "unacceptable reaction to the Middle East conflict" and imposed an activity ban on him. A spokeswoman for the IGGÖ told APA on Wednesday that this ban would remain in place until revoked, irrespective of the criminal investigation. Like all other Muslims in Austria, he remains a simple member of the IGGÖ. The IGGÖ does not recognize excommunication per se, the possibility of exclusion only exists in the case of a legally binding conviction with a prison sentence of more than one year, the spokesperson said.
The Assalam Mosque is largely frequented by people with Egyptian roots. It has been part of the IGGÖ since 2016. In an audit, the IGGÖ was unable to identify any problematic content in the sermons given there, but emphasized "that he has responsibility for his behaviour on social media". (APA, red, 20.3.2024)