Austrian solution – justice: “Ibiza ceasefire” with the police

Almost from the start, the Ibiza investigation was the story of a misunderstanding between the judiciary and the police. When the prosecutor’s office of corruption in a letter on March 16 canceled its confidence in the federal investigation, and with it the investigation orders in the complex Ibiza procedure, there was great excitement in the country.

“Great Bias”
The WKStA felt persecuted by new talks between senior prosecutor Johann Fuchs and section chief Pilnacek – both now suspended and indicted – with “secret investigations” and saw “massive bias”. The SOKO boss defended himself against “just wrong” representations.

WKStA director called back
Now, two weeks later, WKStA director Ilse-Maria Vrabl-Sanda was de facto cancelled. After several summits between the Ministries of Justice and the Interior, there is a typically Austrian compromise. The one there says: Everything stays the same – here are the details.

• The Public Prosecution Service for Affairs and Corruption continues 20 (!) investigations outside the Ibiza complex with the federal investigation without restrictions.

• The “SoKo tape” doesn’t have to delete data secured during investigations into the film trap for ex-FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache on the party island – as was actually pre-ordered. And the researchers must make a final report or remain available for questions.

In addition, the special committee can conduct further investigations on behalf of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is also involved. This was also the one that first saw the country’s most wanted video – seized on a USB stick and hidden in an electrical outlet a year after its release. Much to the chagrin of WKStA colleagues.

How long the “Ibiza ceasefire” will last remains to be seen…