1995: Letter Bomb Terror

Between December 1993 and December 1996, a series of crimes marked the culmination of domestic political terror in the Second Republic. Known as the “letter bomb terror”, the attacks found their way into Austrian history. Each attack was followed by a letter claiming responsibility signed with “Bajuvarian Liberation Army – BBA”. The letters were characterised by German nationalist conspiracy theories and racist provocation. The attacks were directed against prominent members of ethnic minorities or their supporters (and their circles). During the crime spree, a total of 25 letter bombs were sent and three improvised explosive devices were set, four people were murdered and thirteen injured, some seriously.

In October 1997, the then 48-year-old Franz Fuchs was finally arrested during a random road check in the southern Styrian town of Gralla. In the course of the investigation, it turned out that he was the long sought-after “letter bomber” and that he had acted alone. The accused used the six-week trial to shout out far-right slogans nonstop, resulting in his exclusion from the proceedings. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Franz Fuchs committed suicide in his cell in February 2000.