Until September 29

Krumpeck: extension of detention “unnecessary hardship”

Martha Krumpeck, co-founder of the Last Generation organization

(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

Climate activist Martha Krumpeck, who is currently serving a substitute prison sentence in Vienna's Rossauer Lände police detention center (PAZ), criticized the length of her detention on Wednesday. She complained of "unnecessary hardship" in the form of an "extension of detention", which in her opinion exceeds the statutory maximum of 42 days within a six-month period.

In her opinion, this exceeds the legal maximum of 42 days within a six-month period. The Vienna Provincial Police Directorate, on the other hand, pointed out that there was no extension of the substitute custodial sentence in this case.

Detention interrupted due to funeral
According to a statement from the Last Generation - Krumpeck herself was part of the leadership team until November 2023 - the activist would have been released from alternative custody on Wednesday. However, she interrupted this because of her grandmother's funeral.

There has now been criticism that her detention has been extended by a further 42 days - and that she will not be released until 29 September at the earliest. Krumpeck rejects a fundraising campaign to pay off her sentence.

Climate activist Martha Krumpeck in January 2023

(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

The Vienna Provincial Police Directorate stated that the interruption of a substitute custodial sentence - regulated by Section 54a of the Administrative Penal Act - does not result in an extension, but rather a continuation of the remaining time.

The interruption represents a "caesura" with regard to the maximum duration of six weeks, after which the period begins again - with the aforementioned maximum duration of six weeks or 42 days, without interruption.

A postponement or interruption for at least six months only applies if the offender has been in custody for six weeks "without interruption" in the past six months - which was not the case due to the interruption in custody granted.