The trial of ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his former chief of staff Bernhard Bonelli for false evidence in the Ibiza-U committee has continued since Monday morning in the Vienna Regional Court. In good spirits and demonstratively insulting, the two defendants entered the Grand Jury Courtroom of the Vienna Regional Court at 9:30 am.
Kurz and Bonelli turn to the dozens of media representatives and smile. It is the third day of the trial, which mainly revolves around the accusations against the third defendant, a close confidante of the ex-chancellor. Just like his witness Kurz, the 40-year-old is also concerned with answers to questions about the filling of positions at ÖBAG. He pleads ‘not guilty’.
Fear of criminal prosecution
As a political newcomer, he had little experience with U committees at the time, Bonelli explains. However, experienced representatives told him that the main goal of the opposition was to somehow involve respondents in criminal proceedings.
It was therefore not his intention to give the MPs grounds for criminal prosecution. “That is why I have limited myself to talking about formal responsibilities and not about informal processes,” says the father of four about the appointments at ÖBAG.
Like Kurz, Bonelli also says that his answers at the time were influenced by the fear of criminal prosecution. The atmosphere in the committee was also unpleasant; he felt “degraded” and under pressure: “I was even immediately laughed at by MPs.”
This article is continuously updated.
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.
