DSN: Dismantling an illegal Nazi devotional items ring throughout Austria

Official acts were carried out by 20 people throughout Austria in the early hours of September 25, 2024. The aim of the action supported by EUROPOL was to dismantle the structures of an illegal, right-wing extremist network. The network is suspected of operating an illegal trade in Nazi memorabilia. In addition, appropriate official actions were taken in investigative cases involving right-wing extremism. During this Joint Action Day, several hundred Nazi memorabilia as well as various weapons and data carriers were confiscated. The action was preceded by meticulous investigations by employees of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, in particular the LSE Lower Austria.

“The police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution take consistent and forceful action against all forms of extremism.” “After a nationwide coordinated action against Islamist extremists was implemented two weeks ago, a targeted strike against right-wing extremism in Austria has been carried out in the past few days,” explained Interior Minister Karner. In view of the current case, which once again shows the networking of extremists via messenger services, Karner demanded: “The police finally need powers to monitor messenger services in order to be able to act against extremists on an equal footing.”

“With the recent Joint Action Day, the Austrian security authorities and the judiciary succeeded in striking an effective blow against right-wing extremism. In the course of several house searches, large quantities of Nazi memorabilia were taken out of circulation, which unfortunately filled a black market that is still active,” emphasized Justice Minister Alma Zadić. This makes it all the more important to continue to fight the fight against right-wing extremism with full determination. “My thanks go to all the people involved in the Joint Action Day, whose work makes a lasting contribution to Austria’s security every day,” added Zadić.

Searches, seizures and measures in nine federal states

18 house searches were carried out across Austria. There is a connection with 15 of these in the federal states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, Upper Austria, Salzburg and Styria. Eleven defendants were also interviewed there. On the occasion of the Joint Action Day, the LSE of the federal states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Carinthia is also implementing special state police measures in the area of ​​combating right-wing extremism, which included three house searches, a voluntary inspection and interrogations of four accused. The 20 accused are 19 men and one woman.

The 15 people involved are suspected of having set up an illegal trade in Nazi memorabilia via an instant messenger service. In doing so, they have currently spread Nazi ideology online and, on the other hand, have re-activated themselves by selling or exchanging items with a National Socialist connection within the meaning of the prohibition law. The house searches confirmed the existing suspicion of crimes under the Prohibition Act. A considerable amount of data carriers as well as several hundred Nazi memorabilia, various weapons and data carriers were seized. In addition, a collection that can be described as a “Nazi museum” was secured. The Nazi devotional items include various badges, daggers, uniforms, helmets, protective masks, flags and medals. Long guns, cutting and stabbing weapons as well as banned brass knuckles were also found. The investigation is not yet complete.

Joint days of action by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution

So-called Joint Action Days are planned, focused police actions involving the collaboration of various forces or organizational units, which can take place at both a national and international level. In Austria, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has coordinated various action days in various areas of crime in recent years, such as hate crime or Islamist extremism.