Vienna court increases police presence after youth harassment

Vienna’s criminal court has increased police presence because of growing problems with young people insulting or threatening judges, prosecutors, witnesses and victims’ relatives, ORF reported. Prison officers are only authorised to deal with inmates and cannot manage such incidents.

One particularly serious incident occurred in the spring, according to the Ö1 Morgenjournal. When a video showing a brutal assault was played in a courtroom, young spectators laughed. After they were removed, they verbally abused the judge and the victim’s mother with obscene and sexually charged insults. They later tried to re-enter the courtroom and eventually challenged the assault victim to fight outside the court.

Christina Salzborn, a spokeswoman for the criminal court, said the incident was unusual but not isolated. “Incidents in front of the courtroom are certainly a new development,” she said. “There have also been attempts at intimidation and insults. The tone has definitely become harsher.”

Police had occasionally been called to court hearings in the past when officials expected problems. In response to the new situation, court president Friedrich Forsthuber requested a greater police presence.

According to court insiders, the disruptive young people often come from supervised shared accommodation, including unaccompanied minors from Syria. Salzborn said they could be friends, family members or groups, as well as people who cannot be prosecuted because they are below the age of criminal responsibility.

The court is also issuing bans from its premises. Salzborn said bans may be imposed on people who have threatened someone or engaged in criminal conduct. Those who attract negative attention may also face a disciplinary fine after a warning.