DNA tests prove innocence of Austrian activists

October 28, 2008

http://www.vgt.at/presse/news/2008/news20081016_en.php

No matches between DNA samples taken from animal protectionist prisoners and those found at crime scenes.Following the arrests of the 10 animal protection campaigners in May of this year, police took DNA samples from each of them against their will, using violence in many cases – thus making it unlawful. The resulting samples were compared with DNA samples found at the scenes of apparently animal protection motivated crimes.Neither prosecution nor police made the results of these tests public, but now, after receiving access to further prosecution files, the defense team is able to reveal the findings: No matches!Neither the DNA from stamps used for letters claiming responsibility for criminal acts, nor punctured tires nor letters claiming responsibility for criminal acts, nor objects used to smash windows matched DNA from the 10 campaigners who where held on remand over the summer.

This makes it official: After nearly two years of intensive surveillance, 23 house raids and extensive DNA tests there is no evidence of any animal rights related unlawful acts for the 10.

Nobody was caught carrying out a crime Nobody had planned a criminal act Nobody had organized a criminal act Nobody had items at home that could be linked with a crime Nobody’s DNA matches with samples taken from crime scenes

In the light of the above, investigations would normally take a different direction, or be broken off altogether. Police as well as prosecution are obliged to present all exculpatory evidence, but instead of doing this, they continue to work on untenable suspicions. Sadly, nothing seems to be normal about this case. It is politically motivated and this makes the lack of evidence just a hindrance to the goal i.e. to damage and discredit the animal protection movement.