Investigation into Assault on Taxi Driver in Leoben: Two Identitarians Suspected

As confirmed by spokesperson Andreas Riedler of the Leoben public prosecutor's office to APA, two suspects are being investigated on suspicion of attempted aggravated robbery and under the Prohibition Act. In addition, investigations are ongoing against unknown perpetrators. Riedler also made clear: "Die Ermittlungen sind am Laufen. Es wird noch einige Zeit dauern" – the authority was still waiting for a supplementary report from the Styria State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE). New results are expected by the end of July.

Investigations and Allegations

According to APA research from investigative circles, two of the suspects are among the leading members of the Identitarian Movement Austria (IBÖ). The research platform "Stoppt die Rechten" also classifies the former FPÖ employee as a participant in past disruption actions against Vienna Pride, an organizer of Identitarian marches, and a prominent demonstrator against the federal government's COVID measures.

The connection between the right-wing extremist scene and the political establishment in Vienna has once again come into focus through this case. Research by STANDARD and ORF's "Report" had previously revealed that between ten and twenty parliamentary staff members appear in surveillance operations by the domestic intelligence agency. National Council President Walter Rosenkranz denied this in "Kurier" and pointed out that the domestic intelligence report contains "viel drinnen."

Connections to the Identitarian Movement

In the current case, the FPÖ responded to an APA inquiry on Saturday evening with a brief statement: "Es handelt sich um keinen aktuellen parlamentarischen Mitarbeiter. Detaillierte personenbezogene Daten von Dritten dürfen wir leider aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht weitergeben und auch über den Vorfall selbst ist uns nichts Näheres, über die mediale Berichterstattung Hinausgehendes bekannt." According to APA information, the employment relationship of the accused with the FPÖ member of parliament had already been terminated a few weeks before the incident.

In July 2025, FPÖ member of parliament Michael Oberlechner had defended the hiring of the former Identitarian man with the words: "Politischer Aktivismus ist – unabhängig von der konkreten Ausrichtung – ein Jugendphänomen und angesichts der Unbescholtenheit meines Mitarbeiters sicherlich kein Hindernis für eine Tätigkeit in den Institutionen der Demokratie." This statement came after the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) had already reported the man in June 2025 because of his attendance at the funeral of a fraternity member, where an SS song was allegedly sung. The proceedings were subsequently discontinued.

FPÖ and the Former Employee

A few days before the Leoben incident, authorities had taken action against the Identitarian Movement itself: the Vienna Regional Police Directorate and the City of Vienna's Immediate Measures Group had closed the so-called "Identitarian Cell" in Vienna's 5th district. This also intensified pressure on the federal government to examine a possible deletion of the Identitarians from the register of associations.

The gathering of the Leder fraternity, which according to STANDARD reports was attended by hundreds of fraternity members from Austria and Germany, had already attracted attention beforehand. Observers pointed out that the density of notoriously known participants and the associated mobilization of the counter-scene had increased in recent years. The security authorities stated that they had monitored the gathering.

Independently of the Leoben proceedings, a separate investigation against the same former FPÖ employee is underway at LSE Vienna. He is suspected of incitement in connection with a allegedly xenophobic Instagram post. A result of these investigations is, according to the public prosecutor's office, still pending.

Domestic Intelligence and Parliamentary Staff

Victim advocates and observers had pointed to the particular severity of the incident after the attack. A taxi driver who removes passengers from his car because of right-wing extremist slogans must be able to rely on the police and judiciary responding consistently – especially when the suspects come from the orbit of organizations relevant to domestic intelligence.

The public prosecutor's office emphasizes that the presumption of innocence applies to all accused until the investigations are concluded. When and in what form charges will be brought depends, according to Riedler, on the completion of the still-outstanding LSE report. A decision is not expected before the end of July.

In terms of domestic policy, the case once again raises the question of how cooperation between domestic intelligence and parliamentary offices is regulated. Following the STANDARD and "Report" research, the opposition and parts of the governing factions are calling for clear rules in the event that staff members of mandataries appear in surveillance operations. To date, there is no mandatory reporting of such cases to the Parliamentary Directorate.

Outlook on the Proceedings

The Identitarian Movement Austria itself has not publicly commented on the allegations. The second accused, whose role in the IBÖ is said to be "leading" according to APA, has also remained silent so far. Observers assume that internal investigations within the scene – such as the exclusion of members – will only become public after the completion of the criminal investigations.

The public prosecutor's office has initiated victim protection measures for those affected – the taxi driver and his family. The man had to be treated in hospital after the attack and, according to those around him, continues to suffer from the effects of the assault to this day.

In the coming weeks, investigators will interview further witnesses among the fraternity members and passers-by who were out in Leoben on the night of June 20. The police issued an appeal for witnesses, particularly asking those guests of the gathering who made observations to come forward.