Not only in Austria is the tone in the debate between vaccination proponents and vaccination critics becoming more and more aggressive. The recently sworn Chancellor Karl Nehammer recognized the situation well – thanks in part to his background knowledge as the previous Minister of the Interior: words must be disarmed, and the “division hurts everyone”.
Research by ZDF now shows how quickly and dangerously the dispute between the vaccination parties can escalate: The journalist team was able to read along with a chat group of vaccination critics on Telegram – and documented unequivocal violent fantasies and specific murder plans of the conspiracy theorists.
Among the more than 100 participants in the chat group, some had already stated that they had bought ammunition and weapons. The target person was also openly named: the Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer (46, CDU).
One of the suspects is quoted by ZDF with the words: “I would also go to extremes if I have to.” In addition to content that trivializes or even denies the coronavirus pandemic, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories are also shared.
The participants in the chat group actually met in a park in Dresden. The murder plans against the CDU politician Kretschmer were discussed. Quote: “We already said that at the offline meeting that we would saw off the Prime Minister.”
Another person involved said specifically: “Invade the guy, pull the guy out there and hang up somewhere.” According to the report, a third person commented: “You have to decide, you are ready for such a sacrifice.”
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution was informed of these plans and of all communication within the chat group. The Prime Minister is protected by the executive: Michael Kretschmer, father of two sons, has to live with bodyguards all the time anyway.
