Brief case: Affidavits from two Russian managers were not taken into account by the judge. She has the “crown”. It is remarkable information.
Sebastian Kurz’s lawyer wanted to detonate a ‘bomb’ on Monday. It was mainly intended to undermine the credibility of the prosecutor and potential key witness Thomas Schmid. Otto Dietrich presented statements from two Russian businessmen who talked extensively with Schmid about the criminal cases during a job interview in Amsterdam.
These affidavits are available to the Crown.
For example, on August 24, 2023, a conversation took place with Thomas Schmid in Amsterdam. The former ÖBAG boss was considered CEO of an oil industry project in Georgia. The two Russian managers were impressed with Schmid’s resume that he submitted. On August 23, a preparatory meeting had already taken place with one of the two Russians, also in a hotel in Amsterdam.
It was also about the criminal cases in Austria: One of the two said that Schmid had explained that he had been put under pressure by the prosecutors. “Thomas Schmid specifically said that he decided to help the prosecutors to protect himself from legal consequences and that the pressure the prosecutors put on him was so great that he even moved to Amsterdam to avoid having to face this pressure every time. day.”
It continues: “According to Thomas Schmid, he gave in to pressure from prosecutors and decided to side with them and help them by testifying in a way that satisfied prosecutors, even though these specific statements went beyond what he remembered as true.”
“Abandoned by friends”
Schmid tried to justify himself, saying that all the people he was now testifying against were his friends, and when he got into trouble, they disappointed him and simply abandoned him. Schmid said, “I am good to the people who are good to me.”
These statements are particularly noteworthy in view of Monday’s hearing. Because Schmid sounded very different there. When Kurz’s lawyer Dietrich asked whether he had been pressured by the Public Prosecution Service for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA), Schmid replied clearly ‘no’.
Influence on leniency status?
Judge Michael Radasztics also did not take the affidavits into account. This ‘bomb’ from Team Kurz did not explode. Whether it could still affect Thomas Schmid’s potential star witness status is another matter.
I didn’t get the job
By the way, the former confidante of the ex-chancellor did not get the job. While Russians saw him as an impressive candidate, his talk of false accusations cast doubt on his reliability.
The presumption of innocence applies to Schmid and Kurz.
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.
