Right-wing Austrian presidential candidate Norbert Hofer
Photo: AP
Austrian politician fined for 'Nazi' claims
Social Democrat politician Ingo Mayr was fined for calling right-wing presidential candidate Norbert Hofer a 'Nazi'; Hofer will once again face left-wing candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, after voting irregularities were found in the previous round.
An Austrian appeals court has found a politician guilty of defaming right-wing presidential candidate Norbert Hofer by suggesting he is a Nazi and fined him thousands of euros.
Hofer took Social Democrat Imgo Mayr to court after Hofer won about a third of the vote in the first round of elections in April. Among other things, Mayr had said that a third of the electorate "chose a Nazi."
Right-wing Austrian presidential candidate Norbert Hofer (Photo: Associated Press)
Wednesday's verdict overturns an earlier court ruling in favor of Mayr and carries fines totaling 5,550 euros ($6,100).
Left-wing candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, who won out over Hofer before a court ruled in favor of another election due to voting irregularities (Photo: EPA)
Hofer narrowly lost to left-leaning candidate Alexander Van der Bellen in a May runoff that Austria's highest court annulled after Hofer's Freedom Party objected that the vote was marred by major irregularities. The two face off again Dec. 4.
