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Vienna Outlines Heavy Security for Boycott-Hit Eurovision as Protests Loom

Officials focus on balancing tight checks with visible rights for protesters.

Overview

  • Police expect blockades and other efforts to disrupt the final, with protests forecast to draw up to 3,000 people as the eve coincides with Nakba Day.
  • Security rules include a 1.5 km drone ban, airport-style screening at the arena and the city hall fan zone, and a limit to small transparent bags.
  • Authorities have vetted about 16,000 staff, scanned equipment bound for the Wiener Stadthalle, and added FBI-backed cyber monitoring.
  • Austria remains at its second-highest terror alert level, yet police say there is no specific or credible threat to the contest.
  • The field drops to 35 countries after boycotts by broadcasters including Spain’s RTVE and Ireland’s RTE, according to the European Broadcasting Union.