Scandal with Chechens in Austria used for political purposes

The scandal with the detention of Chechens in Vienna was used by Austrian nationalists and the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Austria, who stated that "refugees have abused the hospitality," Herweg Heller, an Austrian journalist, has stated.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on February 3, 22 natives of Chechnya were detained in Vienna; the police suspect them of involvement criminal groupings.

As of February 9, only one of the detainees is still in custody, said Khusein Iskhanov, the head of the "Ichkeria" Centre in Vienna. According to his story, the detainee was involved in the first Chechen war.

Iskhanov said that the Chechens were detained after they gathered "to settle a dispute.” He noted that in Austria there are many stereotypes associated with immigrants from Chechnya.

"For example, very few Chechens went to Syria from Austria, but we hear propaganda allegations that Chechens are terrorists," said Iskhanov.

"Somehow, they forget about thousands of Chechens, who graduated from local universities and became lawyers, doctors, political analysts and integrated into the Austrian society," he complained.

The scandal around Chechen Diaspora is blown up by the nationalistic "Austrian Freedom Party" (AFP), as evidenced by statements of party members.

Heinz-Christian Strache, the AFP Chairman, said that "many asylum seekers are criminals," says the Austrian edition named “Heute”.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.