XXXX SAST REPORT XXXX APRIL 2001 XXXX 

Wave of repression against journalists

LES ENNEMIS DE LA LIBERTÉ D'EXPRESSION

INNSBRUCK, Austria -- One month later SAST REPORT was raided again by police smashing through the door of the bureau, while another guy, weird and rotten looking, a yahoo with bad psychic baggage was coming through the window -- at another place in Innsbruck.

The burglars thought that the journalists were out on a press conference.

But the journalists were there and well prepared for another Watergate style burglary -- and shit like that.

They quickly moved the unexpected visitors out of the office.

One journalist was arrested.

The journalist was reportedly released the same day without charge.

While being held and interrogated the room was searched and documents were stolen.

It's no surprise that the unthinkable happened -- 1 day later the entry to the room was denied as well by flinty-eyed buggers and all the money and personal belongings were stolen again. And, sure as shit the madness started again -- the journalists -- horrified, were driven out into the dark, with only shirt, jean and shoes and the executive case with some press items.

The press in Austria operates under difficult conditions, however. Increasingly, journalists face harassment and even criminal prosecution when they dare to publish articles criticizing government actions, revealing covert policies, or alleging official corruption.

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