[ad_1]
Authorities had successfully delivered a massive coup against the right-wing extremist scene in Austria, the Interior Ministry in Vienna said: Austrian security authorities have unearthed weapons caches and received information about the possible establishment of a right-wing extremist militia in Germany.
At a press conference on Saturday, Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said that five searches and five arrests had been made in Austria in the course of joint investigations with state criminal investigation offices in Bavaria and North Rhine- Westphalia. Two suspects were arrested in Bavaria.
In addition, in the last three days, more than 70 automatic and semi-automatic firearms were seized, as well as large stocks of ammunition, hand grenades and explosives. According to Nehammer, the weapons were intended for the right-wing extremist scene in Germany “to build a right-wing militia.” The main suspect is a 53-year-old convicted Austrian.
100,000 rounds of ammunition in a warehouse
During a house search on Wednesday, submachine guns, assault rifles and ammunition were seized. Another search on Thursday found a container with more weapons, ammunition and explosives. And on Friday, investigators seized around 100,000 rounds of ammunition from a warehouse in Lower Austria, the dpa news agency reported.
A drug delivery from Germany in October led police into the network. According to Michael Mimra, deputy director of the Vienna LKA, the proceeds were used to buy the weapons that were found and destined for Germany. The main suspect is said to have started the trade with several accomplices. There should also be more research in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Interior Minister Nehammer said someone at the center of the investigation provided information on the use of the weapons. “And from there come the conclusions about the establishment of the militia in Germany.” He was unable to provide further information due to ongoing investigations. The State Criminal Police Office in Vienna led the month-long investigation.
