A year ago, the once most powerful judicial official was secretly recorded complaining about ÖVP politicians who wanted him to intervene in the proceedings. The investigation against the man who made the recording was closed.
On July 28, 2023, a memorable meeting took place in a bar in the center of Vienna. Former head of the Justice Department, Christian Pilnacek, complained to acquaintances about the ÖVP, which had wanted to force him to intervene in the proceedings or prevent searches. The conversation was recorded on a mobile phone by someone present and later shared with the “Krone”.
After the tapes were published after Pilnacek’s death, there was not only an investigative committee led by corruption hunter Martin Kreutner, but also investigations. Among others against the man who secretly recorded Pilnacek. The busy entrepreneur Christian Mattura. The procedure has now been stopped by the Vienna public prosecutor’s office.
“I didn’t want it to get out of hand”
It was about Article 120 of the Criminal Code (“Misuse of eavesdropping equipment”). There is an authorization violation, so the investigation requires the consent of the person concerned. Pilnacek could not do this because of his death, but another person who was unknowingly registered initially gave permission. Wolfgang Rauball, German entrepreneur and a kind of fatherly friend of Pilnacek. However, he withdrew the permit.
“I think I’ve done enough with that.”
Hence the termination of the procedure. “I gave my consent because I did not want the case surrounding the serious allegations to disappear,” the industrialist tells the “Krone”. But he subsequently testified a total of four times. “Including four hours at the Kreutner Commission. I think I have done enough with that.”
Mattura is satisfied and finds it ‘right’ to have made the recording and passed it on. This can be seen in the findings of the Kreutner Commission, which revealed serious grievances in parts of the legal system and also found political influence on the judiciary.
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.
