580 offenses perpetrated by right-wing extremists have been registered in Austria during 2010. According to sources in the security authorities, the corruption rates as well have increased significantly.
Vienna – During 2010, 580 racial, islamophobic or antisemitic incidents were registered – a 28% increase, compared with 2009. These are the figures presented in the 2010 report on security issues published by the Ministry of Interior on Monday evening through APA. 282 cases were deciphered (48.6% compared with 44.2% in 2009).
The Children Pornography and Children Sex Tourism Division has received 3,938 complaints out of which 1,046 were cases that took place in Austria. The number of complaints received by the Office of Corruption Prevention (BAK) had a 12% increase in 2010.
The Interior Minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) presented a positive balance on the issue of general criminality evolution in the course of time: according to the announcement, the lowest number of complaints (535,745) since the historical lowest record of 2001 (522,710) had been registered in the police statistics during the last year. Also, in 2010, less vehicles were stolen, in comparison with the 2009 figures (a decrease of 18.3%)
On the other hand, the number of deciphered cases had an expressive increase: the average in Germany was more than 40%, and the highest rate (57.1%) was registered in Vorarlberg, Burgenland had 53.8% and Tirol – 50%.
Infiltrators mostly use the “Balkan route”
The announcement ends with a presentation of present situation concerning the infiltrators, who make use of the “Balkan route” for illegal immigration purposes. Their numbers have increased substantially during the last year. There were infiltrations of people from various countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and African countries). The city of Subotica (located on the border between Serbia and Hungary) is a considered the “fortress of the infiltrators” and the refugees that arrive there stay in private houses or hostels until they their infiltration to Hungary.
A significant reduction in the number of political asylum seekers
In the year of 2010 there has been a significant decline in the number of political asylum seekers and 18,779 applications were submitted – 30.4% less compared to 2009. During that period, 2,977 people were granted political asylum, compared with 13,290 rejected applications.
