The pro-Palestine solidarity activist Michael Pröbsting, who is also the International Secretary of the Revolutionary Communist International Tendency (RCIT), has got a suspended sentence of six months in prison at a trial in Vienna (Austria). He was charged with “approval and incitement to commit terrorist offenses“.
After October 7, 2023, several pro-Israel forces in Austria have laid a criminal complaint against Michael, based on “suspicion of incitement to commit terrorist offenses and approval of terrorist offenses in accordance with Paragraph 282a, Section 2 of the Criminal Code.”
The reason for the criminal complaint was a paragraph in the RCIT’s statement which was issued on October 7, 2023, and which had been distributed as a leaflet in German and Arabic language at demonstrations in Vienna: “The RCIT reiterates that as long as the Zionist state exists, the Palestinians will continue suffering from state terrorism! This is why we stand for the socialist perspective of a democratic and red Palestine. We support the struggle for the destruction of the Zionist state and the right to return for all Palestinian refugees.” (“This is the Time to Expel the Occupiers!”, https://www.thecommunists.net/worldwide/africa-and-middle-east/fifth-gaza-war-support-the-heroic-palestinian-resistance/)
This leaflet did cause a public scandal as a tabloid published a hysterical article about it and a liberal city councillor called authorities to act against the RCIT. (See: Austria: Tabloid Attacks RCIT for “Open Call for Violence against Israel”, https://www.thecommunists.net/worldwide/africa-and-middle-east/austria-tabloid-attacks-rcit-for-open-call-for-violence-against-israel/)
In consequence of the criminal complaint, Michael was summoned to the headquarters of the police in Vienna where he was asked about his political views about the Gaza War and the Palestine question in general as well as about his political activities.
While the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office of Vienna later dropped this complaint, it filed another one based on a video statement of Michael which he had published on October 7, 2023 and in which he stated his support for the armed resistance of the Palestinian people.
A trial took place on May 2 in the Regional Court of Vienna. During the proceedings, which lasted almost two and a half hours, Michael emphasized the deeply political nature of the process. His only crime was to have expressed his support for the legitimate armed resistance of the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation forces and his rejection of the Zionist state. He said that the indictment shows how far the support for the Israeli terrorist state extends in leading circles of politics and prosecutors.
He ended his closing remarks with the following sentences (which are also quoted in some media): “We are currently experiencing a historical moment of great importance. As one of the worst genocides in recent history takes place, a huge movement of solidarity with the Palestinian people, reminiscent of 1968, is emerging worldwide. I and many others who consider the Palestinian resistance as legitimate – we are on the right side of history. You, Mr Judge and Ms Prosecutor, are here today to judge me. But you also decide how history will judge you.”
Nevertheless, Michael got a suspended sentence of six months in prison. This sentence was confirmed at an Appeal Hearing at the Higher Regional Court on August 21. Finally, another appeal to the European Court of Human Rights was not allowed. In February this year, the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers European Commission informed Michael that no legal grounds exist for such a procedure since the verdict of the Austrian court “does not contradict EU law.” Hence, the verdict is legally valid.
Michael’s case was widely reported in Austrian as well as Middle East media. Many organisations, parliamentary deputies and activists did show their solidarity (see various reports and links here, https://www.thecommunists.net/rcit/petition-no-to-criminal-complaint-against-pro-palestine-activist-michael-proebsting)
This decision does not come as a surprise. The pro-Zionist policy of repression against activists in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance is not limited to Austria but dominates in most European countries. The goal of the ruling elite is to criminalise solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and to intimidate activists. However, they will not succeed! The struggle of the Palestinian people continues and so does our solidarity!
