Interior Ministry reviews expulsion of suspected attackers from Leoben

Authorities involved

According to consistent information from the daily newspaper "Kurier" and the Austria Press Agency from police circles, proceedings have been initiated against both Germans, involving both the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum as well as the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence Service. Both authorities are examining whether residence-law or security-police measures are necessary.

From FPÖ ranks, it was said that the incidents had been handled consistently immediately after the allegations became known. "Nach Bekanntwerden der Vorwürfe habe der Freiheitliche aber den 'unumgänglichen und notwendigen Schritt gesetzt und das Arbeitsverhältnis per sofort noch am selben Tag aufgelöst'", was a statement from the party.

The connection between the FPÖ mandate holder and one of the accused had previously arisen through an employment relationship, according to reports. No further details were initially provided about the nature of the activity and the duration of the employment relationship.

Legal basis

At the BFA, the question now at issue is whether the accused, as foreign citizens, can be removed from the federal territory. Expulsion generally requires a lawful residence title and can be linked to an entry ban. The authority is reviewing the individual requirements in this regard.

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence Service is involved because the attack on a mandate holder of the National Council touches on political motivations. State Security assesses whether a political motive exists and what security-police consequences are to be drawn from this. The result of this assessment feeds into the further steps of the BFA.

Legally, the two authorities have different jurisdictions: the BFA decides on residence-law measures, the DSN on security-police aspects. According to police circles, both proceedings are running in parallel; close coordination between the agencies is standard practice.

Political reactions

The political reactions to the incident go beyond the case itself. The debate in the National Council on security policy, residence law, and the handling of foreign suspects is likely to receive fresh impetus from the case. No concrete parliamentary initiatives were announced initially.

It remains open to what extent the Interior Ministry will release additional information about the prior history of the accused. Such data is usually only disclosed after the conclusion of investigations. Until then, the presumption of innocence applies to the two accused.

The next procedural steps lie with the BFA and DSN. Both agencies are reviewing files, soliciting statements, and coordinating their assessments before the Interior Ministry makes a final decision on an expulsion.