Operation Luxor: unlawful police raids in Austria
In Operation Luxor, Austrian police raided the houses of more than 60 suspected members of the Muslim Brotherhood last November because they were believed to form part of a terrorist organisation and financing terror. Now the Graz Higher Regional Court has declared that nine of the raids were unjustified as there were insufficient grounds for suspicion. Journalists say the state really made a mess of things with this action.
Uphold religious freedom
The police should not suspect Muslims indiscriminately, writes Die Presse:
“The accusations are vague, sweeping and yet to be substantiated. Although the files certainly show that it would be worthwhile to take a closer look at certain individuals. Perhaps also in a criminal investigation. How they are prosecuted, however, should be well thought out and argued. In any case, kicking in the doors of a large group of people in the early hours of the morning and simply taking away everything that seems to be in Arabic is not an adequate approach that is compatible with the freedom of religion enshrined in the constitution.”
Shameful actionism
The credibility of the state diminshes with every failed operation, warns the Wiener Zeitung:
“The courts have now ruled for the umpteenth time that the actions against real or alleged Islamist associations and individuals were unlawful. ... The investigators cannot afford such a rejection by the constitutional state too often. A state that is whistled back by its own judges doesn't exactly gain prestige and respect in the eyes of those who want to challenge it. ... The liberal state must not make too many announcements or show too much actionism if it wants to be taken seriously and feared by its enemies. Otherwise it will gradually lose all credibility.”