The Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) is investigating three accused persons known by name and two associations on suspicion of serious fraud to the detriment of the Republic of Austria. The damage could amount to 15.6 million euros.
As the authority announced on Thursday, a contract between the Republic of Austria and a GmbH was concluded in March 2020 to procure these protective masks. This company in turn ordered the protective material from another company that imported the masks to Austria. However, according to the WKStA, the protective masks then delivered mostly did not meet the required and agreed quality standards and, above all, could not be used in the medical field. Therefore, investigations were initiated in Austria.
House searches in Vienna and Salzburg
At the beginning of this week, following judicial approval, house searches at company locations in Salzburg and Vienna were ordered by the WKStA and carried out by officials from the respective state criminal investigation offices. With regard to the ongoing investigations, the WStA did not want to provide more detailed information on the accused persons or associations or on individual further investigative measures.
According to media such as “Standard” and the South Tyrolean “Dolomites”, the two companies are said to be the headquarters of the South Tyrolean company Oberalp in Salzburg, which imported the masks, and a purchasing subsidiary of the Austrian Red Cross (ÖRK) in Vienna . The managing directors of the WCC Purchasing and Service GmbH are however brought up as witnesses.
“The humanitarian aid organization supports investigations into the procurement of corona masks as a witness and is interested in full clarification,” the Red Cross announced on request. The Red Cross “through its legally anchored role of assisting the authorities in times of crisis, during the corona pandemic, at the request of the republic, temporarily took over the procurement of protective material on behalf of the federal government Goods problems. “
Investigations began in Italy
The Red Cross confirmed the house search on Tuesday at the WCC Purchasing and Service GmbH in Vienna. In a statement it is said that the authorities have misled Oberalp AG and its management because of the allegation that they have deceived the Republic of Austria and the WCC subsidiary in ordering defective masks. “The Red Cross is interested in a quick clarification and has already provided extensive information in the past. The investigations that led to the house search are directed against Oberalp AG, not against the Red Cross or its subsidiary.” The Oberalp company has not yet issued a position upon request.
The investigation first began in Italy. The masks were imported from China on behalf of the Province of South Tyrol and through the mediation of the South Tyrolean company Oberalp. Since the masks were also intended for Austria, the domestic investigation is now being conducted. In addition, the Bolzano public prosecutor is investigating suspicions of serious fraud against a total of 30 people, including the South Tyrolean governor Arno Kompatscher (SVP).
Source: Nachrichten
