Austria faces EU legal action over customs and working time rules, Greens push for gun law reform after Salzburg femicide, and Nazi crimes investigation nears its final chapter—plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.

Nazi crimes: Austria’s prosecution efforts near an end

More than 80 years after World War II, the legal pursuit of Nazi crimes is largely coming to a close, according to a report by Der Standard. 

Many suspects have died or are no longer fit to stand trial, and Austria in particular has not issued a single conviction since 1975. Only one indictment—against the euthanasia doctor Heinrich Gross—was made in 2000, and even that trial was aborted.

While Germany continues limited investigations, including recent efforts to prosecute a former SS guard in Styria, Austria’s record stands in stark contrast. A 2010 working group reviewed hundreds of cases but found the suspects were either deceased or protected by statute of limitations. Researchers and historians have criticised decades of inaction, noting that even known perpetrators at Mauthausen lived unpunished among their former victims.

Greens call for gun law reform after Salzburg femicide

The Greens have renewed demands for stricter firearms regulations following a fatal shooting in Maria Alm, Salzburg, as reported by Der Standard. 

Green MP Meri Disoski condemned the fact that the perpetrator—charged previously with issuing threats—was still legally in possession of a firearm.

Disoski pointed to a rise in gun violence against women and called for reforms including regular psychological assessments, tighter controls following police reports of stalking or violence, and a permanent ban on weapons for dangerous individuals. 

Hate crime suspects remain in custody in Graz case

Twelve of approximately 20 suspects linked to a suspected hate crime ring remain in custody, according to ORF Steiermark. 

The group allegedly lured men—often under the pretence of romantic encounters—before humiliating, assaulting, and even robbing them. Some victims were forced to call relatives to confess fabricated affairs, while others were physically attacked.

Investigators say most suspects, aged 14 to 26, have admitted to the crimes but show little remorse. The case spans seven Austrian states and is being treated as a hate crime, although only one-third of the victims were confirmed to be homosexual. Police are encouraging further victims to come forward confidentially.

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EU launches multiple infringement proceedings against Austria

Austria is facing several infringement proceedings from the European Commission for failing to implement EU customs and labour regulations, ORF reported. 

One case concerns outdated customs systems that were meant to be upgraded by the end of 2023. Another involves incomplete transmission of data to Brussels via the SURV3 system.

The Commission also criticised Austrian labour laws for disadvantaging employees at partially state-owned firms like Post and Telekom, citing issues with rest periods and paid leave. In addition, Austria was taken to the European Court of Justice over a voting dispute in the Danube Commission, and warned over failures to properly implement EU environmental assessment rules for large projects.

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