René Schimanek, chief of staff to Parliament Speaker Walter Rosenkranz of the far-right Freedom Party, resigns following intense public pressure. A major political scandal has erupted in Austria after weapons, ammunition, and Nazi paraphernalia were discovered at a property linked to René Schimanek, chief of staff to Parliament Speaker Walter Rosenkranz of the far-right Freedom Party. The controversy deepened after Rosenkranz initially refused to dismiss Schimanek despite the alarming discoveries and separately chose to prominently display a painting by a notorious Nazi artist in the parliament building. Schimanek resigned last week following intense public pressure over his alleged connections to far-right extremist organizations in Austria. His resignation followed November arrests by German and Polish authorities targeting members of the “Saxon Separatists” – a far-right group whose initials translate to “SS” and which authorities classify as a terrorist organization. During interrogations, suspects revealed that Schimanek’s residence functioned as a “safe house” for storing ammunition and providing shelter for group members. When Austrian police searched the property, they discovered “forbidden Nazi paraphernalia” alongside 66 pounds of weapons and ammunition, including firearms. Schimanek, whose father was known for neo-Nazi views and considered influential in neo-Nazi circles, has denied living at the property despite being officially registered there. Though Schimanek avoided arrest, subsequent investigations revealed he had signed emails containing coded language commonly used by neo-Nazis to circumvent Austria’s strict laws prohibiting Nazi rhetoric. Evidence showed Schimanek participated in groups where Nazi imagery and messages circulated, and had received an email from his brother containing Nazi slogans, symbols and coded language as “birthday greetings” on Hitler’s birthday.
via israelhayon: Nazi items found at home of Austrian parliament speaker’s aide