He was the shining light of the conservatives in Austria. Then investigations by the public prosecutor’s office forced him out of office. Now the first trial against Sebastian Kurz is about to end.
After four months, the trial against Austria’s ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz before the Vienna Regional Court is expected to end today. The 37-year-old is accused of making false statements to the Ibiza investigative committee. The former head of government is said to have downplayed his influence before the committee in appointing a confidant to the top of the state holding company Öbag.
Specifically, the question is whether Kurz was simply informed or involved in the top personnel. In addition to a conviction and an acquittal, a so-called diversion is also possible. This usually involves a fine without a finding of guilt or formal sentencing.
Kurz had always emphasized his innocence. At the start of the trial, he sharply criticized the investigating economic and corruption public prosecutor’s office (WKStA). He knows of no case in which a comparable suspicion results in a 108-page indictment with 30 interviews with witnesses. Something like this wouldn’t happen “if I hadn’t been Chancellor.”
The process has become a duel
The process has become a kind of duel between two formerly close companions. The former top official in the Finance Ministry, Thomas Schmid, was considered a confidant of the then Chancellor. He was appointed head of the state holding company Öbag in March 2019, during the ÖVP-FPÖ coalition under Kurz. The 48-year-old has now become the main witness in the proceedings. He repeatedly pointed out to investigators and in court that during Kurz’s government, all top personnel had to be coordinated with the Chancellor. Schmid is aiming for key witness status.
Kurz’s defense tried to cast doubt on Schmid’s credibility during the trial. Last but not least, she relied on statements from a Russian businessman who had contact with Schmid years ago. These statements were intended to give the impression that the witness was under great pressure from the public prosecutor and would be willing to tell lies to the investigators.
Chat message: “You get everything you want anyway”
Chat messages that investigators found on Schmid’s cell phone also received particular attention in the case. According to the prosecution, Schmid thanked Kurz for installing him as Öbag boss. Kurz wrote to Schmid: “You’ll get everything you want anyway.” Schmid replied: “I love my chancellor.”
At the time of his statement in the summer of 2020, Kurz was more popular than ever, given his leadership in the Corona crisis. He had always promised the citizens a “new style” without the nepotism that was widespread in Austria. This is one reason why he described his influence in the Öbag occupation as “informed” but not “involved” in the investigative committee.
Aside from the current trial, the ex-chancellor is threatened with a second trial. In the so-called advertising affair, the then head of government and his team are said to have commissioned fake surveys with taxpayer money. They are also said to have hoped for well-meaning coverage by placing advertisements in various media. The investigation into suspicion of bribery, corruption and breach of trust is underway against a total of ten suspects.
Dossier from the “Kleine Zeitung” about Thomas Schmid’s cell phone
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
