Revoking of citizenship set to become easier in Austria after terror attack​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

New package would restrict foreign funding of mosques as government ramps up fight against extremism

Forensic police survey the scene of terrorist shootings in central Vienna, Austria, on Monday. AFP

Austria's Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, centre,, the head of the Austrian Federal Police Franz Ruf, left, and Vienna police chief Gerhard Puerstl address a press conference in Vienna. AFP

A broken plate lies on the ground next to chairs and tables of a cafe near Stephansplatz in Vienna after a shooting at several locations across central Vienna. AFP

An unfinished piece of cake is seen on a table of a cafe near Stephansplatz in Vienna after terrorist shootings at several locations across central Vienna. AFP

Forensic investigators at work after terrorist shootings in the first district of Vienna. EPA

Armed police arrive at the first district near the state opera in central Vienna, following a shooting near a synagogue. AFP

Austrian police gather after terrorist shootings in the first district of Vienna. EPA

Police control a person at Mariahilferstrasse in central Vienna on November 2, 2020, following a shooting near a synagogue. AFP

Armed police control a passage near the opera in central Vienna following a terrorist attack. AFP

Armed police control a passage near the opera in central Vienna following a terrorist attack. AFP

Armed policemen stand guard in a shopping street in the centre of Vienna following a terrorist attack. AFP

Austrian police search two civilians in front of The Wiener Staatsoper following a terrorist attack. EPA

Danish police secure the area near a synagogue in Copenhagen following a terrorist attack in the Austrian capital. AFP

Armed policemen stand out of their car near the State Opera in the centre of Vienna following a terrorist attack. AFP

Police block a street in Vienna city centre following terrorist shootings. Getty Images

Heavily armed police speak to a passerby near the Vienna State Opera following a terrorist gun attack. Getty Images

A man holds his hands up as police officers check him on a street after exchanges of gunfire in Vienna. Reuters

Police officers check a person after gunshots were heard, in Vienna. Ronald Zak

Austrian police guard visitor of The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) while they leave a metro station following gun attacks in the capital. EPA

Austrian police guard a visitor while they leave The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) after a shooting near the Stadttempel synagogue in Vienna. EPA

Heavily armed police stand near Schwedenplatz square in the city centre following reports of shots fired nearby. Getty Images

An armed policeman outside the Interior Ministry in the centre of Vienna. AFP

General Director for public safety Franz Ruf, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer and police chief of Vienna Gerhard Puerstl speak at a press conference. Getty Images

Police special forces patrol after a shooting near the Stadttempel synagogue in Vienna, Austria. EPA

Police cars patrol near Schwedenplatz square in Vienna following terrorist attacks in Austria's capital. Getty Images

Heavily armed police stand near Schwedenplatz square in Vienna city centre following gun attacks across the Austrian capital on Monday. Getty Images

The Austrian government has unveiled a new antiterrorism package that would make it easier to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals and could see the electronic monitoring of extremists recently released from prison.

Symbols of radical organisations from across the spectrum would also be banned and a register introduced to ensure those convicted of terrorism charges cannot access firearms.

The Austrian government’s proposals come after a gunman who had tried to join ISIS murdered four people in the capital Vienna last month.

“The antiterror package is a strong signal against extremism, regardless of which side it comes from,” said Austria’s interior minister, Karl Nehammer.

“The terrorists' aim is to divide our society. We will not allow that – we are determined to defend our freedom and democracy,” he wrote on Twitter.

Under the antiterrorism package, it will also become easier for authorities to close down mosques linked to extremism, and there will be tighter restrictions on the funding of religious institutions from abroad.

After the November attack in Vienna, that also injured 23 people, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz vowed to crack down on extremism.

“I expect an end to the misconceived tolerance and for all the nations of Europe to finally realise how dangerous the ideology of political Islam is for our freedom and the European way of life,” he said after the attack.

His rhetoric in many ways echoed that of French President Emmanuel Macron after similar attacks in France, including the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty.