Hate Speech Investigation Against Tyrol FPÖ Leader Abwerzger Dropped

Prosecutors in Innsbruck have closed a hate speech investigation against Markus Abwerzger, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in Tyrol. The probe, which lasted nearly a year, was initiated following a controversial social media post Abwerzger made in July 2025.

The post in question reportedly referenced a viral video that had gained traction within far-right circles, allegedly promoting violence against Black individuals. The Innsbruck public prosecutor's office confirmed the decision to discontinue the investigation, citing a lack of sufficient grounds for prosecution.

Last year, the state parliament had approved a request to lift Abwerzger's parliamentary immunity, a necessary step to allow the investigation to proceed against the regional party leader. The decision to drop the charges marks the end of the legal scrutiny over his online activity.