Prosecutors file charges over damaged Kickl climbing route

Prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint over the alleged theft and damage of a climbing route on the Hochschwab mountain in Upper Styria, ORF reports. The route was partly established by Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl in 2020.

The Leoben public prosecutor’s office said on Friday that the case concerns the alleged theft of climbing equipment and property damage. The hearing is scheduled for October 22 at Bruck an der Mur District Court.

The case began after photographs suggested that bolts had been deliberately removed from the route known as Geheimer Schwob. Three mountaineers first climbed and equipped the route in 2020, with Kickl among them. According to the photographs, unidentified people allegedly removed the bolts using an angle grinder.

The photographs were published on a website alongside the statement, “Drive fascists out of the mountains.” The accompanying criticism said Kickl was using his first ascent on the Hochschwab for self-promotion. The Freedom Party then filed a report with the authorities, and the Alpine police investigated.

Two of the suspects are known and a third remains unidentified. Proceedings against one of the known suspects were discontinued, while the case involving the unidentified suspect was separated or halted. One suspect remains in the case.