Hey The protest, which took place on Saturday afternoon and included about 350 neo-Nazi and ultra-nationalist activists, was organized by the far-right youth group Movimento Identitário under the slogan “Re-immigration,” a term used to advocate the expulsion of migrants and their return to their countries of origin.
According to the Austrian government, about 800 police officers were mobilized to take part in the demonstration and counter-demonstration.
“Crimes, especially those committed during demonstrations, are systematically pursued by the police, regardless of whether they are committed by left-wing or right-wing extremists or other enemies of democracy,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, a member of the conservative People’s Party.
Among the demonstrators was Herbert Fritz, 84, one of the founders of the National Democratic Party, which was banned in 1988 for violating the country’s anti-Nazi legislation.
The Greens and the Social Democrats had earlier criticised the demonstration called by far-right nationalists, suggesting links between the organisers and the far-right Freedom Party.
The Freedom Party won the European elections with 25.5% of the vote, one percentage point more than the country’s ruling party, the Republican People’s Party.
Austria is going to elections at the end of September.
Read also: Opposition demands Italian government take action against neo-fascists
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