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Two arrests in Nazi graffiti case

The Local Austria
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Two arrests in Nazi graffiti case
An example of the graffiti in Perchtoldsdorf. Photo: Lower Austrian Police

Police have tracked down two men who are believed to have daubed Nazi slogans on walls and cars in the Lower Austrian market town of Perchtoldsdorf at the end of last year.

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Police said that the accused, aged 21 and 22, had both confessed. Forensic tests proved that the men had caused severe damage to 11 properties, according to the police investigation.  

The trigger for the graffiti attack on December 15th is believed to have been an argument the two men had with some foreign youths in Vienna, when they were under the influence of alcohol.

The total cost of the damage is estimated to be around €6,600.

Johann Baumschlager from the Lower Austrian Police command warned any potential copycats not to underestimate the consequences of such actions. "Often graffiti with such symbols and lettering is blamed on youthful recklessness and indiscretion - but, in this case, they were obviously under the influence of alcohol," he said.

The penalties for such offences under the 1947 Prohibition Act are high, he cautioned.

"Young people don’t always think about the consequences of their actions, and could be causing problems for themselves later in their professional lives,” he added.

The 21-year-old man, from a suburb outside of Vienna, and his older Viennese companion will be charged under the Prohibition Act, which prohibits the deliberate belittlement of Nazi atrocities.

A stun gun was found in the older man’s possession, and he has been given a temporary weapons ban.

 

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