Austria Tightens Security Measures Against Jihadists After Terror Attack

"As long as they are not deradicalized and even if they have served their sentence, we will create the possibility of imprisoning these people to protect the population," said the conservative chancellor, continuing: "For those who have just been released, there will be electronic surveillance. It is a strong interference, but in my opinion it is a necessary step to minimize the threat to our population."

Completing the battery of measures, a register of imams will be created, as well as a fund to compensate victims of terrorism, as well as a platform to report jihadist activities on the internet, in this neutral country of 8.9 million inhabitants, long sheltered from jihadist threats.

Another option of the government, a strengthening of the tools allowing to deprive of their Austrian nationality, the individuals convicted of terrorism, holding the passport of a third country, to withdraw any social benefits, as well as the driving license and the creation of a file in order to keep an eye on the holders of weapons, reports 20 minutes.

With the support of its partners, the Greens, who occupy the Ministry of Justice, the dissolution of associations and the closure of mosques in case of proven radicalization are facilitated. All this will be done in compliance with the Constitution and fundamental rights, reassures Sebastian Kurz.

The jihadist, author of the attack that cost the lives of four people in Vienna last week, was receiving social benefits and had tried to go to Slovakia by car to obtain a war arsenal. An association and a mosque that, according to the authorities, participated in his radicalization have since been dissolved and closed on the orders of the government.

According to the Austrian public radio Ö1, Austria seized 25 million euros in cash on Monday, following searches targeting unofficial representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and close to the Palestinian Hamas movement.