Thomas Schmid’s marathon research is complete. Everything revolved around the credibility of the main witness. “I had the support of Sebastian Kurz and was very sure of that because he told me personally,” Schmid told the former chancellor. He repeated his messages several times.
It may be that the fatigue in the grand jury room of the Vienna Regional Court was caused by several Christmas celebrations. Hardly anyone felt any enthusiasm on the second day of the interrogation of former Öbag board member Thomas Schmid. Except Sebastian Kurz. The ex-chancellor, who has to answer for false testimony in the Ibiza U committee, seemed more restless than on Monday.
He repeatedly tilts his head towards co-defendant Bernhard Bonelli, his former chief of staff at the Federal Chancellery, to comment on Schmid’s answers. Or turns to the two lawyers Otto Dietrich and Werner Suppan, who are sitting behind him, to point out something to them.
After the first pause, witness Schmid seems irritated with Kurz. He does not understand the question from Chief Public Prosecutor Gregor Adamovic. “Because people are talking behind me,” he complains. Judge Michael Radasztics then separates the two suspects – as we know from school.
Almost nothing happened without consultation
In terms of content, Schmid sticks to his line: he settles accounts with ‘his’ chancellor. “As far as the supervisory boards are concerned, there have always been very intensive exchanges with Sebastian Kurz and his team,” he says. “You cannot carry out large projects like Öbag or Budget in the Kurz system without consultation.” That is simply not possible. By the way, Öbib’s director was no problem. He wanted to become director of the newly founded Öbag.
Once again, the former Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance claims that he was asked by Kurz to take on the position of sole director of the state holding company. Not the only statement that was repeated several times in the tough marathon of interviews.
Sebastian Kurz is asked by Radasztics why he photographed a message praising Schmid after a TV appearance in October 2021? “There was a tense atmosphere during the first house searches,” Kurz answers. “For the first time I had the feeling that Schmid had done something wrong.” He became cautious. Bonelli claims to have taken the cell phone photo at the time. With a device that he no longer has today.
Two Russians and a banker as new witnesses?
The defense requests that a banker from London and the two Russians who allegedly had a job interview with Schmid in Amsterdam this summer be called as witnesses. The judge wants to make a ruling on Monday. On this day it is the turn of another former ÖVP Finance Minister, Löger. Former Finance Minister Gernot Blümel (ÖVP) will be interviewed on January 25.
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.
