For the second time, rulings were made in the Prikraf case regarding an alleged law purchase to include Währing’s private clinic in the funding fund: both Heinz-Christian Strache and Walter Grubmüller were acquitted of the charges.
The Prikraf case was heard for the second time by the Vienna Regional Court. Ex-Vice Chancellor Strache and his old friend Walter Grubmüller were charged with corruption or bribery. Grubmüller, the owner of the Währing private clinic, is said to have donated 12,000 euros to the FPÖ. Strache should have campaigned for the clinic to be included in the so-called Prikraf (private financing fund for hospitals).
Rapid re-implementation in the case of Prikraf
In August 2021, Strache was sentenced to 15 months at the Vienna Criminal Court and Grubmüller was sentenced to 12 months probation. However, a year later this verdict was overturned by the Higher Regional Court. Chat messages have not been assessed as sufficient evidence. So the process went into the second round: the program remained the same, only slightly faster. After only two days of negotiations, the interrogation of the suspects of the ex-Vice-Chancellor and his close friend and the examination of witnesses was completed. None of the witnesses want to know about a legal purchase. Both defendants maintained their pleas of innocence.
Three witnesses were heard on the day of sentencing
A ruling in the Prikraf case was actually scheduled for November 2022. In the short term, however, the public prosecutor’s office asked for more witnesses and the reading of chat messages – a twist on the first trial. On the second day of the hearing, Judge Helene Gnida had to postpone until January 2023.
On the third day of the hearing, the hearing of the witnesses requested in November 2022 and the readings have ended. Then a verdict was passed: both ex-vice chancellor and clinic owner Walter Grubmüller were acquitted.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
