Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD
The degradation of state symbols, such as burning flags, should therefore be generally banned. So far, denigrating flags or foreign national emblems is only punishable if they were displayed by an authority or embassy.
Nehammer sees a legal loophole in Section 317 of the Criminal Code and also wants to make the disparagement of privately displayed flags a criminal offense. “The glorification of terror and anti-Semitism have no place in Austria,” said the Chancellor in a statement. It was said that he had commissioned Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (both ÖVP) to develop a proposal. “I do not accept that extremists take to our streets, spread terror and desecrate Israeli state symbols. This is not a trivial offense, but an attack on our free society and must have clear consequences,” said Nehammer.
Last week, Karner spoke out in favor of tightening Section 317 and also called for higher penalties. So far, denigrating state symbols can result in up to six months in prison. However, the Green coalition partner was skeptical about this. The Green justice spokeswoman Agnes Sirkka Prammer first called for an analysis of how the existing laws are applied by the security authorities.
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Source: Nachrichten
