Austrian noncommissioned officer in SS uniform causes excitement in Austria and Germany.
In a story from the "Kurier," it was revealed that a non-commissioned officer who had worn an SS uniform and given the Hitler salute was still employed by the military. It "shocked" Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. Klaudia Tanner (VP), the minister of defense, found "incredible wrongdoing." A military spokeswoman, however, noted that neither the court nor the sole relevant disciplinary body had achieved a discharge.
The soldier was reportedly fined 4,968 euros and given a conditional 10-month term by the military's disciplinary body. The Disciplinary Commission lists the following violations committed by the Oberstabswachtmeister in the reactivation judgment: The soldier outfitted himself with an SS Made uniform by ordering one online, along with Nazi insignia and flags and patches depicting SS runes, the imperial eagle, and swastika. Photos of him in this attire reportedly circulated on social media at least five times.
The serviceman is allegedly said to have given the Hitler salute on many occasions, including at the sports club's cafeteria, on the football field, and in front of other servicemen in the barracks. It's also said that he stole some fireworks from the military and brought them home. He admitted everything that was being said about him to the police, but he blames alcohol for his actions.
The soldier's decision to stay on duty was roundly criticized. In fact, on Thursday afternoon, even Federal President Van der Bellen weighed in on the topic through Twitter: "I was taken aback to learn that a member of the Federal Army had been reactivated from the NS. Executive staff members have unique responsibilities, "said the nation's leader. Nazi apologists have no place in government or society, and they should be called out as such.
Sabine Schatz, the SP's spokesperson for culture of remembering, and Robert Laimer, the SP's spokesman, were both outraged. Schatz remarked on air, "This matter of the non-commissioned officer and the army's response to the re-activation of Nazis has to be addressed promptly." Laimer insisted that "reactivation must be a basis for expulsion from the army" for troops.
Reactivation "is not permitted, it is forcefully and explicitly condemned, and all feasible legal procedures are taken against it," a defense ministry official told the "Kurier." In this particular instance, a disciplinary complaint was lodged, and the employee was subsequently fired. It said that a jail term of more than a year handed down by the criminal court may have resulted in the removal from office.
Army spokesperson Michael Bauer tweeted, "Neither the court nor the sole competent disciplinary authority have won a discharge." For federal employees, the federal disciplinary authority is the ultimate authority, and its rulings must be followed by the military. "The old authorities have been dismantled. The armed forces must conform to this decision." The affected individual was "immediately dismissed from his position" and will be "utilized in a non-military capacity as part of his civil service connection," according an official statement.
Defense Secretary Tanner chimed in, saying, "For me, there is zero tolerance on this subject." Several initiatives are underway to increase military personnel's level of consciousness. Nonetheless, "sadly, there are always misdeeds on the part of individuals - against which we are taking full action and utilizing all the measures at our disposal," the minister stated. This year's national celebration will also include a combined stand highlighting the theme and the partnership with the Mauthausen Memorial/Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial.
Tanner stressed, in addition to his scheduled media appearance: "You can rest certain that I will explore any and all avenues available to me under the law to terminate his employment with the company, even if it's in an unrelated field. Indeed, that is the case. We're working on it right now." You must follow the law and all judicial rulings.
Speaking for NEOS, defense spokesperson Douglas Hoyos was unsatisfied with the department's remarks. 'Neo-Nazis have no place in the Austrian Armed Forces,' Hoyos said. "The Defense Ministry cannot just shrug off these kinds of actions and pass the buck to the criminal justice system; instead, it must take firm measures. The applicable service legislation would need to be amended if this were to be attempted."
The Greens also voiced their disapproval. "The democratic and anti-fascist ideals of our country make it impossible for anybody to serve in the armed forces while wearing an SS uniform. No one will be tolerated. We are submitting a parliamentary question to Defense Minister Tanner in an effort to get some answers "David Stogmüller, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, has made the following announcement. "Legally, it would have been permissible to dismiss the sergeant. It seems that the defense minister's disciplinary counsel has not asked for his removal. I find it strange that Minister Tanner's office has not made this request."