Austrian authorities have arrested four German citizens for laying white roses at the birthplace of Adolf Hitler on the anniversary of his birth.
The incident occurred in the town of Braunau am Inn, where the four individuals placed flowers at the window recesses of the building where Hitler was born. One of the individuals was also observed performing the Hitler salute during the act.
The group, comprising two sisters and their partners, is from the Bavarian region of Germany. They were apprehended by patrolling officers and taken to a police station for questioning.
Upon investigation, officers discovered Nazi-themed messages and images shared among the individuals’ cell phones. All four individuals are now facing charges under Austria’s law prohibiting the display of Nazi symbols.
The incident has sparked outrage, with Austrian officials condemning the group’s actions. Police patrols are typically increased around Hitler’s birthplace on April 20 each year to prevent similar incidents.
The building where Hitler was born has been the subject of ongoing debate, with some calling for its demolition to prevent it from becoming a pilgrimage site for neo-Nazis. The Austrian government has opted to convert the building into a police station and human rights training center to discourage glorification of the Nazi dictator.
The transformation of the building is estimated to cost €20 million and is expected to be completed by 2025.
