Infiltration at Peršmanhof: "A near match for the town hall's calamity"
Slovenian Ambassador to Austria, Alexander Geržina, has expressed criticism towards a police operation against an Antifa camp at the Carinthian Persmanhof memorial, which took place on July 27, 2025. The operation, involving helicopters and special forces, resulted in arrests and physical conflicts, and has since been met with widespread criticism.
The ambassador believes the operation was disproportionate and lacked restraint. He also expressed concerns about the long-term planning and appropriate documentation that must have been in place for the operation. The ambassador cannot believe that such an operation is possible in the EU today.
The Association of European Journalists (AEJ) in Austria has joined the call for a swift clarification of the police operation, stating that they believe the approach of the security forces during the operation was illegal due to the lack of presentation of reasons in Slovenian, disregarding the rights of the Slovenian minority.
The AEJ, along with the ambassador, demands disciplinary consequences for those responsible for the operation. Carinthian Green Party spokesperson, Olga Voglauer, echoes these sentiments, expressing joy about the "broad display of solidarity" and stating that the district administrative authority was also involved, making the state government responsible as well.
The operation at Persmanhof has sparked public debate over policing tactics at politically sensitive gatherings. Key issues raised include the perceived escalation and provocation by police, criticism of disrespect towards the memorial site, and political demands for transparency about who authorized the police action. Lawyer Rudolf Vouk, representing Antifa participants, has called the operation an abuse of office and prepared a complaint, alleging police intent to provoke conflict.
Following the operation, an investigation and multi-professional analysis by various state bodies, including representatives of ethnic groups, memorial management, and police, is underway to clarify the operation's appropriateness and lawfulness. The ministry plans to submit the commission's report by the end of September, but the ambassador finds this timing to be far too late.
In addition to the investigations, the aftermath comprises an official apology from police to affected families, ongoing parliamentary inquiries, demands for memorial site protections, and public demonstrations. Around 400 people demonstrated in front of the provincial government in Klagenfurt against the operation, demanding clarification, disciplinary consequences, and an apology. Valentin Inzko, from the Council of Carinthian Slovenes, also participated in the demo and demanded clarification about who ordered the operation.
Governor Kaiser was urged to apologize to the affected parties by Olga Voglauer, who also stated that there will be further parliamentary inquiries regarding costs and the question of Slovenian as an official language. The ambassador expects answers from the Ministry of the Interior and the Carinthian provincial government, and demands better implementation of language rights for the Slovenian minority.
In summary, the aftermath of the police operation at Persmanhof comprises ongoing investigations into the legal basis of the operation, political scrutiny involving parliamentary questions, demands for memorial site protections, and public debate over policing tactics at politically sensitive gatherings. The ambassador demands a swift clarification of the events, stating that they have cast a shadow over everything.
The police operation at the Carinthian Persmanhof memorial, which resulted in arrests and physical conflicts, has led to criticism from Slovenian Ambassador Alexander Geržina, who believes the operation was disproportionate and lacked restraint. Furthermore, the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) in Austria has joined the call for a swift clarification, stating that they believe the approach of the security forces during the operation was illegal due to the lack of presentation of reasons in Slovenian. This incident has sparked public debate over policing tactics at politically sensitive gatherings, with concerns raised about the perceived escalation and provocation by police, disrespect towards the memorial site, and political demands for transparency about who authorized the police action.
