Austrian security chief warns of growing Islamist influence and gender segregation

In an interview, Sylvia Mayer, director of Austria's State Security and Intelligence Directorate, warned that Islamist extremism, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, poses a major threat to public safety and democracy. She explained that the Brotherhood's ideology aims to create parallel societies, enforce strict gender segregation and separate religion from the state. Mayer said the group targets children and youth through education and community work, and tries to infiltrate local political structures rather than national parties.

She cited investigations linking the deradicalisation association Derad to Brotherhood networks, including alleged exclusion of female staff in prisons and schools. Mayer called for expanded criminal provisions and tougher association laws to address non-violent but anti-democratic aims, while stressing the need to protect legitimate religious practice. She also mentioned broader security concerns such as potential drone attacks and the influence of foreign actors like Russia.