Following a controversial police operation at an antifascist camp near the Peršmanhof memorial site in Carinthia, a roundtable meeting was held on Wednesday at the invitation of Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ). During the meeting, Deputy Regional Police Director Markus Plazer offered an apology to Bernard Sadovnik of the Ethnic Groups Advisory Council, a descendant of the family murdered at Peršmanhof. However, he emphasized that this did not constitute an admission of guilt.
Plazer told journalists after the meeting: “I apologized because the family was personally affected.” Whether the operation was appropriate and lawful remains under review. Authorities had received reports that an illegal Antifa camp was being held there, which led to the involvement of state security services. “We are always obligated to intervene when violations occur,” Plazer said.
Sadovnik expressed hope for a swift and thorough investigation by the Interior Ministry. At the roundtable, he posed several questions that will be addressed by the appointed commission. He advocated for legal protections for memorial sites “against such intrusions,” stressing the potential harm caused by insensitivity in these spaces. “This shouldn’t happen. It must not happen again.” Sadovnik, who is also a mayor, underscored his generally good working relationship with police, saying that was why clarity was so important. “There must never be a blanket condemnation of Austria’s law enforcement.” However, he was disturbed by the strong reactions sparked by the antifascist camp: “Antifascism should be a basic value in this republic.”
Proposed Law to Protect Memorial Sites
After the roundtable, which also included local district officials, Governor Peter Kaiser appeared alone before the press in the state government’s Mirror Hall. He announced that a law to protect memorial sites is under consideration, with the constitutional affairs department tasked with examining the proposal. Kaiser described efforts to ease tensions, including a phone call with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon.
“I know many people were deeply affected by how this unfolded,” Kaiser said. “I want to address young people who may have gotten a distorted picture: Trust the Republic, trust democracy. Sometimes things happen that shouldn’t.” The organization running the Peršmanhof museum declined the invitation to the roundtable, stating that a discussion with officials was currently unreasonable. Kaiser said, “I acknowledge and regret that.” He hopes the Interior Ministry’s commission will deliver a swift and thorough investigation. If responsibility is found, consequences should follow.
Four-Hour Operation Draws Strong Criticism
The four-hour police operation on Sunday triggered considerable backlash. Three patrol units, officers from the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (LSE), the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA), and the Völkermarkt district authority descended on the remote site, which houses a memorial. The raid appears to have been prompted by complaints or anonymous tips—likely related to tents set up during the camp. Tensions escalated on-site when participants refused to provide identification, prompting the deployment of three rapid response officers (SIG), a police dog handler, and a police helicopter. Authorities reported 62 administrative violations, two counts of resisting law enforcement, 32 ID checks, and two personal searches.
The police faced heavy criticism, particularly from the Carinthian Slovene community. Critics called the operation excessive—not only due to the minor nature of the alleged environmental violations but also due to the historical sensitivity of the site. On April 25, 1945—almost exactly 80 years ago—members of an SS police regiment massacred 11 civilians at Peršmanhof. The Interior Ministry has announced a comprehensive review of Sunday’s police action, a demand echoed by political parties and memorial organizations.
Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) said during a press event in Klagenfurt on Wednesday that any police activity at a memorial site “requires particular sensitivity.” He welcomed the investigation and called for transparency. President Alexander Van der Bellen also stressed the need for a swift explanation. On X, he wrote that he had spoken with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, Governor Kaiser, and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). “We all agree that a place as sensitive as this memorial site demands utmost sensitivity and discretion—from all involved, especially law enforcement.”
Accusations of Official Misconduct
Political parties continued to release statements reaffirming their positions, as they had in recent days. Representatives of the Croatian ethnic group also expressed dismay over the police raid and called for accountability.
Klagenfurt-based attorney Rudolf Vouk, who was called in during the operation to represent participants and organizers, suspects official misconduct and is preparing a legal complaint. He claims police deliberately escalated the situation to provoke conflict. According to Vouk, the operation commander stated that extremists were hiding “under the cover of Antifa.” He also criticized the governor’s attempt at mediation, saying the affected individuals from the Antifa camp were not invited to the roundtable. As of now, the Klagenfurt public prosecutor’s office has not launched a formal investigation into the incident.a
