Excitement over presents

This is what the Russians really gave the police officers

Police officers received gifts at the embassy after the Russian presidential election.(Bild: zVg, Krone KREATIV)

After the fuss about the gift bags that were distributed to Viennese police officers at the Russian embassy, the "Krone" finally revealed the secret of what the Russians actually gave the officers on Tuesday afternoon ...

The police officers were on duty on the occasion of the Russian presidential election on March 17 to ensure security around the voting in the embassy. In return, the embassy gave them a gift. Three officers from the State Security and Extremism Office (LSE) and the police carried gift bags with the Russian national emblem with them after leaving the building. 

Russian sweets for the tired officers(Bild: zVg)

Unwanted impression with skewed optics for police
As it became known on Tuesday, the gifts were allegedly not misconduct. This was also confirmed by a spokesperson for the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate. In future, however, no more gifts from Russia are to be accepted. According to the spokesperson, this would have left an undesirable impression. 

A calendar for the current year 2024(Bild: zVg)

This was hidden in the gift
But what was actually hidden in the gift bags? The campaign does not appear to have been really worthwhile for the officials: According to information from "Krone", the gift is said to have been a calendar and sweets. However, it remains unclear why the officers concerned did not want to comment on the gifts on the spot.

It was only later that the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate was able to confirm the receipt of gifts when asked. A spokesperson had previously spoken of "paper bags containing items of low value". In future, the officers were nonetheless instructed to refuse.