Austrian Police Raid Sparks Outcry at War Memorial

Heavy-handed intervention at anti-fascist event draws criticism

Austrian police are facing growing scrutiny after deploying an unexpectedly large force to break up an annual anti-fascist youth gathering at the Peršmanhof war memorial, a site of deep historical significance near the border with Slovenia.

The operation, which took place on 27 July, saw more than 30 officers—backed by helicopters, drones and police dogs—descend on a peaceful educational event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Police cited alleged administrative violations, including unauthorised camping and environmental concerns, as justification for their intervention. Several attendees were detained for identity checks, though no serious incidents were reported.

Scene of a Nazi massacre

The venue, once the scene of a Nazi massacre and now a museum, holds particular resonance for the Slovenian minority in Austria, as the murdered Peršman family were themselves Slovenians. Critics argue that the scale of the police response was disproportionate and deeply insensitive, given the memorial’s history and the presence of descendants of both victims and resistance fighters.

Local mayor Bernard Sadovnik, whose own family suffered in the massacre, described the raid as “disproportionate, disrespectful and retraumatising”. In an open letter to officials, he wrote, “A cold shiver ran down my spine when I heard the news… I couldn’t hold back my tears.” Community leaders have called for an official explanation and reassessment of policing at such commemorative events.

(Michael Leahy. Source: Eurac.edu et al. Photo: Hawaratschi, CC attribution 3.0)