Austria vows to disband far-right group if proved to have ties to New Zealand mosque attacker
- Authorities say Martin Sellner, leader of the Identitarian Movement Austria, had received a US$1,700 donation from Christchurch gunman
Austria’s government said Wednesday it would disband a far-right group linked to the alleged New Zealand mosque attacker if investigators determined it was a terrorist group.
Officers on Monday raided the flat of Martin Sellner, leader of the Identitarian Movement Austria (IBOe), after it emerged that he had received a €1,500 (US$1,700) donation from suspected Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant.
The government on Wednesday confirmed there was a financial link between the two men.
“We are now investigating whether we have a terrorist organisation here,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said of the IBOe after a cabinet meeting.
“Radicalism of any kind must be eradicated, and all legal options should be taken,” the conservative leader told a press conference.
“If it is indeed the case that it (IBOe) is a terrorist organisation, then of course there will be consequences for the organisation.”