Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff is an Austrian mother devoted to the preservation of freedom of speech. A diplomat’s daughter, she was a child in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and later lived in Iraq, Kuwait and Libya. During the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, she was among the Austrian citizens who were held hostage. She subsequently worked as assistant to the Vice Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (1995-1997), at the Austrian Embassy Kuwait, Visa Section (1997-2000) and the Austrian Embassy Tripoli, Libya (2000-2001).

In 2009 she was initially charged with “hate speech” under Austrian law for factually accurate assertions she made during a seminar on Islam, regarding statements in the Hadith on child marriage. Sabaditsch-Wolff explained: “I want to preserve Europe and its democratic and secular values. Islamic doctrine discriminates against women and non-Muslims. Islamic law, or shariah, cannot be reconciled with democratic principles and universal human rights.” On February 15, 2011, she was convicted of “denigrating the teachings of legally recognized religion in Austria” in a Vienna courtroom and paid a fine. The case was later accepted for decision at the European Court for Human Rights. A verdict was handed down in late 2018, an appeal denied. The court argued that some states “may legitimately consider it necessary to limit the free speech of some to respect the freedom of religion of others.” Consequently, her fight for free speech continues in the United States.

Sabaditsch-Wolff has testified on her case and the situation in Europe in addition to her work at the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) before members of Congress. She also addressed Tea Party meetings in Minnesota, Texas, and Washington and numerous ACT! for America meetings in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Florida, Texas, Montana, Washington, Colorado, and Kansas, in addition to Montreal, Canada. She has also spoken several times at Ahavath Torah Synagogue in Stoughton, MA. In August 2016, she spoke at a conference hosted by the American Freedom Alliance in Los Angeles, CA on the topic of “Islam and Western Civilization – Can they coexist?”. In 2017, she testified before the Montana House of Representatives judiciary committee on an ALAC bill (American Laws for American Courts) and briefed the Kansas secretary of state on matters of migration into Europe and its repercussions. Moreover, she was invited to address the Conservative Opportunity Society (sponsored by Rep. Steve King, R-IA) on Capitol Hill. In 2020, she spoke at CPAC on the topic of freedom of speech. In June 2022, she spoke at the American Freedom Alliance conference on the topic of “Propaganda.” In 2023, she spoke at various Republican clubs and gatherings in Florida urging the preservation of First Amendment rights.

In recent years, Ms. Sabaditsch-Wolff has also been active in protests against the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. This includes attending and speaking at Marches for Persecuted Christians (and Jews) in Vienna, Austria, and Orlando, Fl, as well as a #JEXIT (Rally against Anti-Semitism and Hate) in Boca Raton, Fl.

She recently published her book “Truth Was My Crime – A Life Fighting For Freedom”, which details her decade of fighting for her right to free speech.