The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) has stopped its investigation into the case of the FPÖ-affiliated “Institute for Security Policy” (ISP), as the “Krone” learned. Specifically, it involved so-called “hidden donations” from the gaming company Novomatic to the Freedom Party. The investigations involved, among others, the former FPÖ party leader Heinz-Christian Strache and the then ISP chairman Markus Tschank.
The case was a consequence of the Ibiza video, in which Strache openly talked about corruption fantasies in a party mood. The statements led to various investigations by the WKStA; there was a suspicion in the ISP complex that gambling companies may have donated to parties via politically affiliated associations. In addition, the focus was on sponsoring 240,000 euros for an institute event.
“Not enough for criminal relevance”
Both the then chairman of the now defunct Tschank club and Novomatic have always denied the allegations. In its employment reasons, which are also available to the “Krone”, the WKStA assumes “with a high degree of probability” that the company would not have sponsored events “without the proximity to the governing party FPÖ”. “But that alone is not enough to make the sponsorship services criminally relevant.”
The case had a certain significance in view of the upcoming elections for the National Council, because one of the people involved has a serious chance of a mandate. Tschank is in fifth place on the Vienna state list and is the top candidate in the constituency of Vienna-Southwest. If the Freedom Party does well in the federal capital, that could be enough for a seat in the National Council, which he also held from 2017 to 2019.
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.
