Austrian police arrest 26 sovereign citizen movement members

VIENNA – Austrian law enforcement officials say 26 members of a sovereign citizens movement have been detained on suspicion that some among then planned to take people hostage and put them on self-styled “trial.”

Police arrested the suspects Thursday in a nationwide raid of homes of members of the “State Union of Austria,” who refuse to recognize the legality or authority of the Austrian Republic.

State Prosecutor spokesman Christian Kroschl says the arrests followed threats against local politicians, judges and bank employees.

The suspects are accused of participation in a subversive organization, resisting the authority of the state, coercion, blackmail and uttering threats.