While his “best friend” performs antics next to him in the dock in the large courtroom in Vienna on Wednesday, Heinz-Christian gives Strache the lamb. Silent nuances, unusually short and precise answers to the questions of judge Mona Zink. Among other things, about his duties as vice-chancellor for appointments to the supervisory board.
That is why he, the former head of the PVV, vice-chancellor and minister, is also here. For the second time as accused of bribery. And his really good friend Siegfried Stieglitz as “briber”.
Items for money: how cheap was the FPÖ?
He had donated 10,000 euros in instalments to the FPÖ-affiliated association at the Court of Auditors – and would have been given a commissionership at Asfinag for that. Although you almost have to wonder how cheaply the FPÖ had given it – whether the accusations of the accused are correct.
Of course not, the two explain in unison. This time it’s HC Strache’s turn to talk about friendship, the meager workforce within the FPÖ, which he headed, and “casting lists”, government participation would be “presentable”. His friend “Sigi” was undoubtedly that to him: “He is one who with his zeal built something out of nothing.”
He shouldn’t have been “ashamed” for a second, regardless of which state-owned company Stieglitz sat on the supervisory board, Strache said. And beforehand he also asked him: “Can you imagine saying yes if I need you for something?” All via WhatsApp chats that surfaced in the Ibiza inquiry committee. Strache puts it into perspective in court: “It’s up to the ministries, my support is overrated.”
association for people with fear of contact”
So why did Stieglitz donate to the club and not to the FPÖ itself? “The aim of the association is to appeal to people who are afraid of contact with the party,” said Strache. Stieglitz was once an FP councilor in Steyr (Upper Austria), but resigned. “I absolutely rule out the possibility that Stieglitz saw a connection between his donation and the appointment to the supervisory board,” Strache said.
And anyway – to quote a legendary Austropop song by Wolfgang Ambros – it was Hofer. Norbert. Former Minister of Transport, responsible for Asfinag’s Supervisory Board. He will testify on Friday.
Source: Krone
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