Tyrolean must go to prison

“Thinking German national is probably not a problem”

The East Tyrolean is a guitarist and lyricist for two bands. He was also on trial for this.

(Bild: Markus Stegmayr, Krone KREATIV)

On Monday, a 38-year-old man had to answer for - as the public prosecutor put it - multiple violations of the National Socialist Prohibition Act at Innsbruck Regional Court. However, the East Tyrolean denied everything.

Guitarist and lyricist for two relevant bands, indoctrinating his 16-year-old stepdaughter with Nazi ideas and giving the Hitler salute: These are just some of the serious charges that a 38-year-old man had to face in Innsbruck Regional Court.

Hitler salute "only performed earlier"
But the East Tyrolean denied everything. "Music is just a hobby of mine", he emphasized. Moreover, some of the lyrics in question were "largely" not even his own. "And if I had read these children's books to my stepdaughter at that age, she certainly wouldn't have been interested." He also never wore clothes with swastikas. "But I drank too much in my youth," the man explained and admitted to having given the Hitler salute during this time.

(Bild: dpa/Bernd Thissen)

The accused did not see himself as right-wing extremist
In the meantime, however, he had distanced himself from this. "I only had the Nazi literature that was found in my possession for antiquarian purposes." In addition, much of what is considered "right-wing extremist" in this country has merely been branded as such by the "left-wing narrative". "I certainly don't describe myself as right-wing extremist." However, he did not deny that he represents "German nationalist ideas". "That simply has to be possible in a constitutional state." The verdict was still pending.

Admitted contact with relevant persons
He also had contacts with relevant personalities such as Gottfried Küssel. "But I have never heard of any of them describing themselves as right-wing extremists," the accused explained. Moreover, in "Austria there is no ban on contact", but such contacts only become problematic if they result in criminal offenses. In any case, he himself also listened to "left-wing music" and originally came from an "alternative environment", said the accused.

Verdict after midnight
The chairwoman of the jury court had to stop the defendant several times in his flow of speech and justification. "Thanks for the hint, Ms. Rat," the defendant acknowledged this hint very politely. At around midnight - after a trial lasting almost twelve hours and extensive deliberation afterwards - the time had come: the East Tyrolean was sentenced to nine years behind bars, much to the displeasure of his colleagues and his wife. The presiding judge was met with furious abuse from the audience. The verdict is not final.