Russia complains about statue vandalism in Austria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 May 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia complains about statue vandalism in Austria, 8 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53a1388f14.html [accessed 24 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 08, 2014
Russia's Foreign Ministry has protested the vandalizing of a memorial to Soviet soldiers in Vienna.
The Russian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs demanding that authorities repair the damage to the memorial, find and punish those responsible, and take measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Unknown individuals went to the memorial to "Soviet Soldiers-Liberators" on Schwarzenbergplatz Square in Vienna overnight on May 7 and painted a blue and yellow Ukrainian flag on it.
The protest note from the Russian Foreign Ministry said the "desecration" was the "latest act of vandals…to disrupt the ceremony" marking the end of what Russia calls the "Great Patriotic War" (World War Two) on May 9.
Based on reports by ITAR-TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
