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In a disturbing turn of events, a 25-year-old Moroccan migrant, Younes I., has been charged with the rape of a social worker during her visit to discuss his impending release from prison. Having arrived in Belgium only ten days prior, Younes was already incarcerated for robbery and aggravated theft. The incident highlights serious concerns about prison safety and the handling of migrants, as the social worker was attacked in a cell that bore a warning label marking the inmate as "aggressive." This shocking case raises urgent questions surrounding the treatment of illegal migrants within the Belgian justice system and the potential for violence behind bars.
The spat between the two neighboring nations over who must receive illegal migrants refused at new German border controls escalated late on Thursday, as the CSU politician responsible for home affairs in Germany’s most southern state had his say.
“This is not about whether Austria will take someone back, but rather whether Germany will deny someone entry,” Herrmann said in an interview with Welt.
“If Germany refuses to allow someone to enter the country, then the person concerned is still in the neighboring country and has not entered Germany. In this respect, the question for Austria does not arise as to whether they want to take someone back,” he added.
Herrmann’s remarks were in response to comments made by Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner earlier this week who claimed there would be “no wiggle room” and insisted that Austria would “not accept people who are rejected from Germany.”
The argument has stemmed from Berlin’s decision to implement checkpoints at borders with other EU member states, effectively suspending the passport-free Schengen area that ensures free movement across the bloc. The border controls will be in place for six months from Sept. 16.
Both governments believe the law to be on their side.
The Austrian opposition and poll-topping Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) sided with the German center-right politician, using the opportunity to take aim at the open borders agenda it says the government in Vienna has adopted during its time in office.
🇦🇹‼️ “Remigration! I have absolutely no problem to say that word.... We are not going to accept any asylum requests anymore."
- Herbert Kickl, head of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)
Polls put his FPÖ party in first place heading into national elections on Sept. 29. pic.twitter.com/0PKxA4DXIm— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) September 10, 2024
Its security spokesman Hannes Amesbauer said that the Austrian government was responsible for allowing asylum claimants into the country and accused the ÖVP of being wedded to mass immigration.
“Instead of closing the borders, the ÖVP is constantly bringing new migrants to Austria,” he said. “Karner has been reimporting illegal returns from Germany for years,” he added.
Tensions over the unilateral long-term suspension of the European Union’s border and asylum rules by Germany is expected to increase tension with neighboring countries to the east and the south where illegal migrants are currently travelling through from Africa and the Middle East to reach Europe’s largest economy.