Nigerian murdered by Austrian police
A 25-years old Nigerian died Saturday evening during his deportation in a Balkan Air-aeroplane from Vienna to Sofia a "sudden death". Marcus O. had been chained because of "lasting and heavy resistance", as the Ministry of the Interior told. Additional, his mouth has been "closed" by a gummed tape.
The Ministry of the Interior ordered a preliminary stop of deportations which might lead to resistance. Additional, directives for escorted deportations and the organizing of a medical escort should be worked out. The Ministry "is deeply sorry" for the death of the immigrant. The chief of the responsible section announced a "complete and mercyless investigation" of the circumstances.
Marcus O. was escorted by 3 detectives from the federal police department of Vienna. The Ministry told that O. has showed "lasting and heavy resistance" during check-in. The 25 years old "has been so loud, that the air personnel demanded to make him quiet as a condition for the transport". The secretary general for public security, Michael Sika, stated in a racist way:"Other deportations are no problem. But if you have seen with how much power THEY (he means people from africa) are resisting, you would be more careful in critisizing."
The plane departed at 17.55 from the airport of Vienna. About 20 minutes before arrival in Sofia, which happenend at 20.20, the detectives noticed tha O. was getting calm. "After arrival in Sofia chains and the gummed tapes were removed, and he was showing only very little resistance. O. was unconscious. After that the air personell ordered medical assistance," said the Ministry. The doctor could only state that O. has died. The Bulgarian authorities have ordered an immediate autopsy and the passports of the Austrian detectives have been confiscated. Today, they are interrogated by a Bulgarian public prosecutor.
O. immigrated in September 1998 at the Airport of Vienna, and has asked for asylum. It was neglected on Decmber 7th, and the deportation to Nigeria was considered permissible. At the same day his deportation was ordered.
On January 4th 1999 O. made an appeal. But the officials neglected for a second time. He was esorted by 3 detectives because of "suspected resistance" on May 1st to Sofia and sould have been deported to Lagos the same day.
Although this case is the worst incident in the racist policy against immigrants, lots of mistreatments have been reported last year. And this is representative for the racist policy of deportations by EUrope. Last year, Belgium cops killed Semira Adamu. A wave of embarrassement rolled over Europe. And in this case we have to protest again, with no interruption. We have to stop Fortress Europe. We cannot allow them to mistreat, to deport and to kill antoher migrants. Act now! Demonstrate in front of Austrian Embassies or other institutions! Send them Faxes! And also send Faxes of protest aginst:
The Ministry of the Interior
Karl Schloegl
Fax: 0043/1/531 26-3910
Spread this info and give us information of your actions for documentation! On may 2nd, about 22.50, a spontaneous demonstration in the centre of Vienna was held with the slogan:"Deportation is torture, deportation is murder!". More actions will follow.
