Racist assault at a petrol station

Alert DateFebruary 12, 2011 Country: Austria Address: Vienna General Type: Racist violence, Hate crime Racism and discrimination phenomena: Afrophobia, Xenophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Africans/black people Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Daily life
Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin Cameroonian
Victims Gender Male
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number 1
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Perpetrator Gender Female, Male
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number 3
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

Mr. M. was born in Cameroon, but has lived in Austria for a long time; he is a street vendor of the Vienna newspaper “Augustin”. One February 12th 2011, after finishing his sale tour he went to a shop of a petrol station. As he entered the toilet, he met two men. One of them was smoking and started to harass Mr. M with his cigarette. The two men began to abuse and kick Mr. M and finally knocked him down.
Mr. M. called for help, whereupon an employee of the shop entered the toilet room. Although Mr. M. asked her to call the police the shop assistant failed to do so. So, Mr. M. dragged himself out and called the police. When they arrived, Mr. M. told them everything about the incident. The two men who had attacked him were still in the shop; they were arrested and Mr. M. was taken to hospital. He was badly wounded.
ZARA supported Mr. M. in getting into contact with the “White Ring”-Organization, which hired a lawyer to represent him in proceedings against the two perpetrators. In September 2012, the two attackers were sentenced to prison for 13 months (11months conditionally). As provided by law, the racist motive was regarded as aggravating. Whether the employee of the gas station has been prosecuted is unknown.

Source:

Zara, 2012, http://www.zara.or.at/_wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Zara_RR11_RZ_Web_fin.pdf, Accessed on 21.08.2012.
Krone, 23.02.2011, http://www.krone.at/Wien/Zeitungsverkaeufer_auf_Tankstelle_niedergeschlagen-Wie_Ball_getreten-Story-247662, Accessed on 21.08.2012.
Verkehrsinfo, 23.02.2011, http://www.verkehrsinfo.at/artikel/18.547.316, Accessed on 21.08.2012.