Report filed – “People differences”: Pilnacek’s death under investigation

Pilnacek was found dead on the night of October 20 near the municipality of Rossatz-Arnsdorf (Lower Austria) after he was stopped by the police and his driver’s license was confiscated. But his death still raises questions.

Police officers collected personal items
According to a report from the online portal “ZackZack”, shortly after Pilnacek was found, two officers showed up at his girlfriend’s apartment in Rossatz and took private items, namely his mobile phone, the key to Pilnacek’s apartment in Vienna and his wallet. The officers also asked for a laptop. However, the police had no security warrant with them. No such order was issued by the criminal investigation department or the Krems Public Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the State Criminal Investigation Department of Lower Austria, the items were handed over to the deceased’s widow – without any mobile phone data having been evaluated. Pilnacek’s widow confirmed she had received the items.

Report submitted to WKStA
But it is precisely the removal of these items that is now raising questions, which is why Martin Kreutner, head of the investigative committee set up in November by Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens), which is investigating possible political influence during the term of office, calls office of ex-section head Christian Pilnacek has contacted the Wirtschafts – and the Public Prosecution Service for Corruption has filed a statement of facts. It is not about the circumstances of Pilnacek’s death – foul play was ruled out according to the autopsy report – but about the removal of those personal items.

“The question must be asked whether all parties acted empty artis,” Kreutner told the “Kurier” on Tuesday. Several police officers confirmed to the press that valuables, such as Christian Pilnacek’s mobile phone, had been handed over by his girlfriend and taken into custody a few hours after his body was found in his house, “although this was not a seizure within the company . the meaning of the Code of Criminal Procedure, but on the basis of the Security Police Act.” This is a routine procedure when a body is found.

The police may confiscate items
In principle, the police may seize objects on their own initiative, but are obliged to report this to the Public Prosecution Service as soon as the procedure is underway. Proceedings were initiated to determine whether foul play was involved in Pilnacek’s death, but an autopsy yielded no corresponding results and the investigation was dropped.

Based on Kreutner’s statement of facts submitted last week, the WKStA will now likely investigate whether there was a political motive behind the removal of his personal items.