- Title: Austrian ex-chancellor Kurz goes on trial for perjury
- Date: 18th October 2023
- Summary: VIENNA, AUSTRIA (OCTOBER 18, 2023) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN KURZ ARRIVING IN WAITING AREA IN FRONT OF COURTROOM TO GIVE BRIEF STATEMENT TO MEDIA MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN KURZ, SAYING: "Since two years, there have been allegations that I gave false testimony in the parliamentary enquiry committee. The reason why we are all here today, 100 journalists I heard and in the Grand Jury Room, dealing with the testimony from the committee three years ago, is an interplay of politics and WKStA (Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption). It was the MPs on the committee who not only questioned me but then immediately filed charges. And it was the WKStA who initiated criminal proceedings. In my opinion, whenever there was the possibility of interpreting my statements in two ways, it was interpreted in a way that was detrimental to me. So, for example, in regards to my statement: they interpreted my answer as a 'no' and a negation rather than a contradiction as I had intended it to be meant, and therefore they claimed it was a false statement." POLICE INSIGNIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN KURZ, SAYING: "In sum, I am very confident. I know what I told the Committee. I know that the WKStA, in my opinion is always trying to interpret it in a way that falls negatively for me. And I do hope for a fair trial and that at the end of the day these accusations will also be ruled false." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (German) FORMER AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN KURZ, SAYING: "I don't see how it could be interpreted that way. I described the roles quite clearly. There was a committee hearing three years ago where I was questioned by opposition MPs as is their right. I tried to answer truthfully and was also there with the intention of telling the truth. The MPs filed charges afterwards which is their right. I still don't think it's the best side of politics. The fact that the prosecution wrote a criminal complaint is also the right of the prosecution but it is also my right as the accused to present my view of things and at least make it known if I am of the opinion that my statements are being misinterpreted and my words are being twisted. I can understand that a 'na' (a version of 'no' in Viennese dialect that can mean different things) can also be interpreted as a 'no'. But it was not meant that way, it was meant as a contradiction and I honestly cannot understand why it is being interpreted against me every time. That's something the prosecution seems to be able to do but where at the end of the day a court will decide whether it's lawful or not." ENTRANCE TO TRIAL ROOM VARIOUS OF MEDIA IN PACKED COURTROOM JUDGE IN COURT MEDIA WAITING FOR KURZ IN COURTROOM KURZ ARRIVING IN COURTROOM MEDIA KURZ IN COURTROOM ONE OF THE JUDGES KURZ IN COURTROOM JUDGES MEDIA KURZ AMONGST MEDIA VARIOUS OF MEDIA VARIOUS OF COURT ENTRANCE AND EXTERIOR
- Embargoed: 1st November 2023 08:29
- Keywords: Vienna corruption trial former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz
- Location: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- City: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
- Country: Austria
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Europe,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
- Reuters ID: LVA001100218102023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Former Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz went on trial on Wednesday (October 18) on suspicion of making false statements in a parliamentary enquiry committee in June 2020 concerning the so-called Ibiza affair.
If convicted, the former leader of the conservative People's Party (ÖVP) faces up to three years in prison. Kurz has always denied the accusations.
The Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) accuses Kurz of having knowingly made false statements in connection with the appointment of the board of the state holding company ÖBAG.
At the time, Kurz stated that he had been informed about the appointment of ÖBAG head Thomas Schmid, but had not been involved in the events.
According to the WKStA, this is not true. Kurz is incriminated by seized chat messages with Schmid, who makes himself available to the WKStA as a key witness.
The 37-year-old Kurz was considered an exceptional political talent and was foreign minister until 2017 and that same year also chancellor.
In addition to his harsh asylum course, he also caused a stir internationally because of his government cooperation with the right-wing populist FPÖ.
When the investigations against Kurz began in spring 2021, he was still chancellor. Six months later, he resigned because of further accusations of embezzlement, bribery and corruptibility.
These involve the suspicion that ÖVP-led ministries had bought benevolent coverage with advertisements. It is not yet clear when this trial will start.
For the time being, three dates have been set for the trial, which is attracting great media interest at home and abroad.
The trial is expected to last until November.
Kurz himself wrote on Platform X after the indictment became known: "The accusations are false and we are looking forward to when the truth finally comes to light and the accusations prove to be baseless in court."
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