Now it is clear: Rene Benko will certainly not appear at the University Committee this week. The real estate juggler canceled for “several important reasons.” Now he could be brought before the police in May.
According to information from “Krone”, Benko’s lawyer Norbert Wess sent the apology letter with the rejection to parliament late Tuesday afternoon. According to Wess, the information situation in the U-Committee has not yet improved and therefore there are still important reasons for excuses.
In court in Innsbruck on Wednesday
In addition, the lawyer points out that Benko has a court date in Innsbruck on Wednesday, which has been in the edict file since the beginning of March. This hearing is about his personal insolvency proceedings as an entrepreneur. “Benko has therefore rightly apologized for Wednesday for several important reasons,” Wess emphasizes.
Benko’s lawyer abroad Thursday
Nevertheless, his client was sent a new summons for Thursday “without prior consultation about possible availability”. Wess was unable to respond to this call. The reason for this is that you work abroad all day “to attend multiple appointments – including an appointment with the authorities”.
“Unreasonable”
According to Wess, it would therefore be unreasonable if Benko were to appear before the University Committee on Thursday without the confidential counselor he had appointed and, if necessary, to testify. And Benko would have to appear at the U-Committee with a confidential counselor who was by no means sufficiently prepared, “especially because the new summons was delivered to the legal representation at such short notice.”
According to Wess, another point is relevant to the cancellation: there would be less than 50 hours between the sending of the summons by post and the date of the hearing. During this time, Benko also had to prepare for the court hearing in Innsbruck.
What’s next for Benko?
It is still unclear how parties will deal with the renewed cancellation. The Greens, but also the Social Democrats, had announced that they would bring Benko forward if he was rejected again. A legal dispute may arise. If this works out in favor of the opposition parties, Benko could be brought before the U-Commission under police escort in May.
Brunner, Blümel and Kogler will testify on Wednesday
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, his turquoise predecessor Gernot Blümel and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler are expected in the committee on Wednesday.
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.
