After criticism of the investigation into the death of ex-section chief Christian Pilnacek, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) confirmed that he had “great confidence in the work of the Austrian police” and the investigative authorities. The case will be investigated “as it should be,” he said at a news conference on Wednesday. Martin Kreutner, head of the investigative committee established by Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens), reported the case.
The investigative committee is investigating possible political influence during the term of office of the ex-section chief. However, Kreutner has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution Service for Economic and Corruption (WKStA), because detectives, among other things, allegedly took Pilnacek’s mobile phone after the body was found. The Krems Public Prosecutor’s Office did not order a seizure and the police did not report the seizure.
Zadic emphasizes the independence of the Commission
The complaint is one of an average of a thousand police-related complaints per year, Karner said. Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens) emphasized that the commission works independently and that she did not know in advance that Kreutner would file a complaint.
The Freedom Party had criticized the ÖVP in connection with the investigation. FPÖ Secretary General Christian Hafenecker speculated that the People’s Party wanted to know more about “secrets” on Pilnacek’s mobile phone that could be harmful to them, and that Pilnacek planned to speak out against the ÖVP. Karner denied the allegations Wednesday. It is ‘miserable’ to see poor work done by the police ‘while you have big problems yourself’.
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.
