"Choked unconscious"

Scandal over Burgenland election: cameraman knocked to the ground

Rescue operation in the Landhaus in Eisenstadt - the "Krone" knows the background.(Bild: Imre Antal)

Violent scandal on the sidelines of the TV coverage of the state elections in Burgenland: According to information from the "Krone", an ORF cameraman was attacked, knocked to the ground - and was allegedly unconscious!

Next to the elephant round of "Krone" and Puls24 in the Landhaus in Eisenstadt was a stand of the private broadcaster oe24. According to witnesses, a freelance video reporter had made his way to this stand and wanted to cross an ORF area.

However, employees of the public broadcaster had refused him access because it was a restricted filming area in the state parliament meeting room and only the ORF had access ...

Rescue and police in action
The situation then escalated in the crowd and a scuffle broke out - in the end, an ORF cameraman was lying on the floor and is even said to have lost consciousness. He was "choked unconscious" by his opponent, according to those present. The Red Cross was called out and the ORF employee was taken to hospital.

Excitement in the Landhaus on the fringes of the election coverage(Bild: Imre Antal)

"Only fell over after ten seconds"
However, the private videographer defended himself verbally and, according to eyewitnesses, claimed that the ORF employee only "fell over after ten seconds". It was all just an act!

The police will now have to clarify what really happened. The alleged attacker was escorted out of the building and will probably also face charges of (grievous?) bodily harm.

State could ban him from the premises
The state media service said in the evening that the facts of the case had not been fully clarified. The Eisenstadt police station had begun investigations. If the statements of the numerous eyewitnesses are confirmed, the province of Burgenland will consider banning oe24 from the premises.