16 January 2008
Prosecutors in Austria have launched an inquiry into anti-Islamic remarks made by a far-right politician which have provoked outrage among politicians and civilian leaders. Susanne Winter, an activist with the populist far-right FPÖ party, formerly led by Jörg Haider, was reported by media as describing Islam’s prophet Mohammed as a "child molester" who wrote the Koran "during epileptic fits". Winter, who made the comments at a party gathering in the southern city of Graz, is standing as a candidate in municipal elections on 20 January.
"Our attention was brought to the case by the media reports," said Manfred Kammerer of the public prosecutors’ office of Graz. Adding that they were investigating whether or not it constituted incitement to racial hatred. Kammerer said Winter would be questioned about her comments in the next few days, after which prosecutors would decide what steps should be taken. In Austria, incitement to racial hatred is a crime punishable by up to two years in prison. In a separate interview with the ’Österreich’ newspaper, Winter spoke of a "tsunami of Muslim immigration" threatening to engulf Western Europe and alleged that "child abuse by Islamic men is widespread."
Austria’s Islamic community meanwhile appealed for restraint. "We appeal to all Muslims to remain calm and not be provoked by third-class politicians," said a spokeswoman for the Islamic community’s religious organisation, IGGIÖ. Austrian president Heinz Fischer said at a reception for the diplomatic corps that Winter's remarks were "not the voice of Austria but one that we must distance ourselves from." In a statement, Vienna’s Jewish community accused Winter of "hurting religious feelings for political ends" and welcomed the news that prosecutors were investigating.