On October 1, 2009, there was a big demonstration of protest in Vienna, the capital of Austria, against the plans of puppet Kadirov which is about opening emissaries in Austria.

The demonstration of protest which was organized by Chechen diaspora in Austria, began in Vienna’s central square Stefansplats. More than a thousand protesters who came from different parts pof Austria, including many women anc children were attended to protest. The protesters chanted slogans, carried Chechen Republic Ichkeria and Austria flags, photos of killed Chechen civilians by Russian forces and posters as “Putin Leave us Alone”, “Today Chechnya, Europe Tomorrow?”, “Asylum with Deadly Consequences”, “Putin must be in the Hague!” etc.

After half an hour, when the speakers finished their public speeches, protesters marched toward the government building. At the end of the action, organizers of the demonstrastion had a brief meeting with the assistant of Austria Chancellor and they gave him a letter about the resolution of protesters.

A statement from the organising committee of the demonstration was published*:

“Dear Chechen compatriots,

There are disturbing news that the criminal regime in the Kremlin plans to open so-called representative offices in European countries, including Austria, to promote the return of Chechen refugees to occupied Chechnya.

The actual aim of opening the “representative offices” is not to help Chechen refugees, but to establish total control over them and, if need be, to physically liquidate people undesirable to Moscow.

It is well known that those Chechen refugees who want to return to their homeland are not being held by force in Austria. The Austrian government covers all the costs of those willing to return home. No “representative offices” are needed for this end.

Ludicrously, some “Chechen refugees,” who ostensibly fled from the clutches of [Chechen dictator] Ramzan Kadirov and the Kremlin, are now complaining about the actions of the Austrian authorities to representatives of Kadirov’s regime, who have come here to spread their criminal activities and dirty propaganda.

Why does Moscow — aided by its puppet, Ramzan Kadirov, — insist on the return of the unfortunate people who have fled torture, killings, beatings, and other atrocities committed with total impunity by the Russian occupiers and Kadirov’s puppet regime?

The answer is very simple: almost half of the Chechen nation has fled Chechnya. Kadirov and his masters in Moscow need new victims to satisfy their beastly appetite.

Kadirov has made cynical statements in Russian media that he has full information about the arguments presented by Chechen refugees to support their claim for asylum, and that those refugees will not go unpunished.

Kadirov has not limited his actions to statements alone. It is well known that soon after his statement, a Chechen refugee, Umar Israilov, was killed in broad daylight in the centre of Vienna.

The investigation into this crime remains unresolved. What is more, there are serious concerns that this was by far not the last killing, but that we will with all likelihood see more killings in the future.

The criminal regime in the Kremlin, through its puppets in Chechnya, has created an atmosphere of fear and incertitude among Chechen refugees in Europe, who feel not protected even in Austria.

We call on all those who do not wish to become victims of the murderous plans of Moscow and its puppets in Russian-occupied Chechnya to join us in our protest against the opening of the so-called representative offices.

Organising committee
Vienna, Austria”

Photos from the demonstration:

Video of the demonstration:

*The statement was translated by Kerkko Paananen.