Probe Launched as Vienna Police Find Collection of Nazi Items

Probe Launched as Vienna Police Find Collection of Nazi Items

Nazi memorabilia is completely illegal in Austria and Germany - Image Source: Wikimedia

AUSTRIA’S Polizei have launched a probe following the discovery of a collection of banned Nazi items including historical weapons in the capital Vienna.

According to an official Polizei statement, officers from Austria’s anti-terror unit carried out a raid on an apartment in the capital Vienna. The flat’s Hungarian owner cooperated with officers, showing them a wooden box in his bedroom where he kept a large collection of Nazi era items.

The cache of memorabilia, banned under Austria’s strict anti-Nazi laws, included replica stick grenades modeled on those used by the German army in the Second World War. An MP-40 submachine gun, the Nazi’s innovative weapon of choice, was among the haul complete with ammunition as well as a variety of daggers and helmets. Police also seized banned Nazi books, busts of Adolf Hitler, and Swastika symbols.

The flat’s 46-year old owner claims he had accrued the Nazi collection due to his work as a film extra. He told investigators that he had bought the memorabilia and weapons from flea markets across Central Europe as well as from private dealers. Polizei say the man has been indicted as investigations continue

In Austria and Germany, it is illegal to possess Nazi materials or memorabilia. During Hitler’s “Anschluss” campaign of 1938, Austria was absorbed into Germany under the rule of the Nazis.


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Oisin Sweeney

Oisin is an Irish writer based in Seville, the sunny capital of Andalucia. After starting his working life as a bookseller, he moved into journalism and cut his teeth as a reporter at one of Ireland's biggest news websites. Since joining Euro Weekly News in November, he has enjoyed covering the latest stories from Seville, Spain and further afield - with special interests in crime, cybersecurity, and European politics. Anyone who can pronounce his name first try gets a free cerveza...

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