The Muslims who are threatening Hofer do not accept the principle of the freedom of speech. Either Austria will defend that principle, or surrender it. That goes for all the other countries in the free world as well. And so far, the record of defense of this idea, the linchpin of any free society, is not good.
“Regarding his statements about the Koran, Hofer sees what he said confirmed by threats,” translated from “Hofer sieht sich nach Koran-Sager durch Drohungen bestätigt,” Unser Tirol, June 18, 2020 (thanks to Medforth):
After his statements on Tuesday that the Koran is more dangerous than the Corona virus, the head of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), Norbert Hofer, says he has been confronted with countless insults and death threats on social media. This shows that his words “may not have been completely without foundation”; the party leader sees his criticism confirmed.
In the APA interview, Hofer reported on death threats and verbal abuse at the “worst level”, especially on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or via direct messages. In numerous articles – including those sent to the APA by the FPÖ – the FPÖ chief is dubbed the “son of a bitch” who “will burn in hell”. Several users also expressed the hope that Hofer would “die”. Others became even clearer: “If one day you are found dead on the street, don’t be surprised,” wrote one user.
Hofer also said he would take legal action: “I will not put up with it if someone threatens to kill me.” It is a misguided community trying to pressure me here. Although he did not expect it, he was also not shocked and would surely “not let himself be silenced” by these “oh so peace-loving people”. The FPÖ leader said that the evidence was being collected and was constantly growing, and had been handed over to both the security authorities and his legal representative. At the same time, Hofer reported “a whole, large number of reactions from Austrians” to his appearance, which were positive.
Hofer has “no understanding at all” for critical voices regarding his statements among politicians or from representatives of the faith. “I would like people to develop a certain sensitivity to certain undesirable developments,” he said. “If I had said something similar about the Bible, those people who are now enraged would have remained silent,” says Hofer, who is faced with two charges of incitement and degradation of religious teachings. It was clear to him that it was always about the interpretation of the Koran. You can also find passages worthy of criticism in the Bible, “but we have experienced humanism and enlightenment,” he said.