Once considered the most powerful official in the republic, not only in the judiciary, but pursued by the corruption hunters of the Public Prosecution Service, the case went even deeper. Now the final act of a tragedy with death after a ghost ride. Politicians also react to the shocking news.
Christian Pilnacek’s resume in 30 years in the judiciary is impeccable until his impotence in 2020 and ultimately his suspension the following year (see also chronology below). He rises from candidate judge to head of the criminal law section, making him virtually master of all public prosecutor’s offices.
Most powerful official in the Republic
Even his opponents consider him the most renowned lawyer and most powerful official in the republic. Pil, as he is known, is the meticulous architect of the new major criminal code of 2008.
He never came to terms with being kicked out of ministry
At the same time, he is also considered sociable and frequents city bars. In any case, his work and his attitude make him a polarizing figure. The long-standing enmity with the Public Prosecution Service for Economic Affairs and Corruption is well known. With his expulsion from the Palais Trautson, the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice, the non-party top official began a deep fall, which he was never able to overcome.
It’s Thursday evening. Christian Pilnacek is the first to attend a private family dinner at a well-known chic Italian restaurant in the heart of Vienna. Then another appointment at a reception at the Hungarian embassy. Shortly before 10 p.m., he was alone in his car. The A22 motorway along the Danube takes you towards Lower Austria. But on the Stockerau highway S 5 he drives somewhere in the wrong direction – a police patrol finally stops the ghost ride!
Pilnacek leaves behind a wife and three children
It is 10:15 PM when the final act of a human tragedy begins: the alcohol test shows that the blood alcohol level is too high! He, the once powerful head of the Justice Department, must surrender his driver’s license on the spot. This further shame in a long line of personal setbacks may have been too much for Christian Pilnacek. The fact is: Christian Pilnacek will only be 60 years old. And takes many secrets to the grave. He is also survived by his wife and three adult children.
ÖVP Chancellor Karl Nehammer is also affected: “I got to know and appreciate him as an excellent lawyer – also in my work as Minister of the Interior. My deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones and friends. Rest in peace!”
„“Ruin the procedure and not the verdicts.”
Pilnacek’s lawyer, former Justice Minister Dieter Böhmdorfer, is critical: “The suspects are being ruined by the procedure and not by the verdicts!”
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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.
