The Austrian government’s decision to close seven mosques and expel as many as 60 imams as part of their campaign against radicalization has provoked a wave of outrage online. Some people on social media went as far as to threaten Sebastian Kurz personally. While some posts accused the chancellor of wanting a “war,” others openly said he should “prepare” for death, according to the Austrian national Oesterreich daily. Some posts also said that the head of the Austrian government “will find himself in a rubbish box,” while others just read: “Allahu Akbar!”

The chancellor’s office confirmed to Oesterreich that Kurz received “many” death threats, particularly on Facebook and Instagram, as well as in some “instant messaging services.” The situation was considered to be so grave that the Austrian domestic intelligence and counter-terrorism agency, the BVT, launched a counter-terrorism investigation into the issue, according to the interior ministry.