Investigations relating to bankruptcy
Pre-trial detention by Signa founder Benko extended
The insolvent entrepreneur is suspected of having hidden assets towards creditors. It has been sitting in a single cell for around a month. It could be much more.
The former billionaire René Benko has to spend two more months in custody. This was decided by the district court in Vienna. According to its own statements, the court continues to assume urgent suspicion and risk of act. The prisoner is not yet final.
The founder of the insolvent real estate and trading group Signa has been in custody in a single cell for around a month. The public prosecutor suspects the 47-year-old Austrian to have hidden assets towards creditors and authorities as part of insolvency proceedings. So far, Benko’s lawyer has not given any public information on the allegations.
Up to two years possible
The judicial authorities could leave Benko in custody for up to two years. In the event of a conviction for infidelity or bankruptcy, he threatens up to ten years in prison, said a court spokesman.
Rising interest rates, energy prices and construction costs had brought down the nested Signa company construct. Creditors require a total of 2.4 billion euros. So far, the bankruptcy court has only recognized 47 million euros from this sum.
Benko and his environment run several investigations in Austria, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein, among other things because of alleged fraud, infidelity and bankruptcy. His lawyer denied the allegations.
dpa
Source: Stern
