The trial of the year at a glance: where does Sebastian Kurz sit in the jury room? Who are the star lawyers? What characterizes the public prosecutor? krone.at reports LIVE from 9 a.m
Sebastian Kurz is the man for all kinds of firsts: at 28 years old, he would have been the youngest Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Republic. He managed to be elected chancellor at the age of 31. He was the first chancellor of the republic to be voted out of parliament by parliament in 2019 following a vote of no confidence. It is rare that three films have been produced about a former top politician.
Today at 9:30 am he will be the first former chancellor in more than thirty years to take his place in the dock. The last time former SPÖ Chancellor Fred Sinowatz was on trial was in 1992 for false witness statements. A confrontation that does not occur every day in the regional court of Vienna, even though many spectacular cases have already been heard in the historic courtroom.
Is Kurz referring to the need to make statements?
According to reports, all three suspects will plead not guilty. There is an exciting option circulating in legal circles that would involve Kurz in the process. He might say, “I am not guilty because I was in a state of necessity to testify.” This would be a ground for an excuse in the case of false evidence. And it means that no one has to incriminate themselves criminally.
Sebastian Kurz will not be interviewed until Friday
The question is whether the WKStA’s accusation that Kurz makes false statements about the appointment of positions has a criminal dimension at all. But it is enough if he fears persecution. Judge Michael Radasztics will ask at the start of the trial whether the suspects will plead guilty or not guilty.
However, the former chancellor’s statement is not expected until Friday, especially because he is listed as the second defendant after Bettina Glatz-Kremsner and the judge usually takes his turn. This time the jury box remains empty. Radasztics decides as a single judge without a jury.
Increased police presence in and before the court
Naturally, the trial against the former Chancellor will be supervised by the police. Police officers from the responsible city police command and the standby unit will be on site in the Wiener Landl, which currently resembles a construction site due to renovation work. Demos, such as recently with Florian Teichtmeister, are not to be expected.
In this process, not only the suspects are under pressure, but also the prosecutors. Gregor Adamovic will act as representative of the Public Prosecution Service for corruption. He is considered one of the elite’s most stubborn anti-corruption forces. Not only does he want to be successful in making false statements, the chief prosecutor is also carefully investigating the advertising affair that cost Kurz his political career. By the way, it was his current wife, an economic expert, who, as an external assistant at the WKStA, made the accidental discovery that initiated the investigation against Kurz in the advertising affair.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
