Because the display of the Hitler salute at the 2025 Pride demonstration in Linz, Austria, led to a conviction, a 23-year-old man from Traun was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Kronen Zeitung reported this on Monday. The Linz Regional Court’s ruling is final.
The man had shown the prohibited gesture on June 21 of last year near the downtown Linz Pride march. Police officers escorting the demonstration took note of the incident and intervened. The defendant said he had merely waved to acquaintances across the street. However, this account did not convince the police nor the court.
The 23-year-old was convicted of the offense of “National Socialist re-affirmation.” The legal penalty range for this offense lies between one and ten years in prison.
The Pride march in Linz proceeded peacefully, according to the police. About 4,300 people participated, while the organizers spoke of roughly 13,000 participants.
