Racist attack against student

Alert DateDecember 21, 2008 Country: Austria Address: Bad Gastein General Type: Racist violence, Racist discourse Racism and discrimination phenomena: Extremism - organised Racist Violence, Anti-migrant/xenophobia, Nationalism
Groups affected / Interested in: Ethnic minorities Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Daily life Hate speech/Racist Discourse Medium: Public Discourse
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin Austrian
Victims Gender Male, Female
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number 2
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin Austrian
Perpetrator Gender Male
Perpetrator Age 18-25
Perpetrators Number 8
Extremist/Organised Group Violence Yes

A student whose father is of Indian origin was attacked when she left a bar in Bad Gastein (Salzburg) together with her boyfriend and an acquaintance. A group of seven males started shouting homophobic statements. The student challenged these statements and was told to “beat off” to where she came from. When her boyfriend demanded that they refrain from such racist talk, he was suddenly attacked by one member of the group and thrown to the ground. Together with her companion, the student attempted to thwart the attack, but she too ended up being knocked over. Sexist, racist and national socialist comments ensued. At about 2:30 two police officers arrived and took down the particulars of all persons involved. In September 2009, the case was taken to court. The public prosecutor accused the perpetrator of having violated the Prohibition Statute. The perpetrator did not deny the attack that he had uttered any national socialist slogans.

Source:

ZARA, Rassismus Report 2008, Wien, available at: http://www.zara.or.at/materialien/rassismus-report/Racism_Report_2008.pdf (2011-09-28)

Rassistische Attacke mit Nazi-Parolen vor Gericht’, in: derStandard.at (21.09.2009), available at: http://derstandard.at/fs/1252771863016/Salzburg-Rassistische-Attacke-mit-Nazi-Parolen-vor-Gericht (2011-09-28)

Stellungnahme zu einem auf Rassismus und Rechtsextremismus beruhenden tätlichen Angriff vom 21. Dezember 2008 um 2.00 Uhr in Bad Gastein, available at: http://www.etc-graz.at/typo3/fileadmin/user_upload/ETC-Hauptseite/Programm/Aktuelles/berichtgastein.pdf (2011-09-2011)