In Vienna an entire family has to appear in court. Older women in particular have fallen victim to this: “They are helpful,” the public prosecutor describes. The Serbs feigned an emergency and then evacuated the victims’ apartment. “I hope you’re embarrassed!” a victim’s granddaughter shouts at the defendants.
The dock in Hall 16 of the Vienna Regional Court is full: “It is a family clan with an approach that cannot be surpassed in terms of daring,” is how the public prosecutor describes the eight defendants, who all have the same surname. four men and four women. The Serbs used tricks to gain access to apartments, especially those of old women.
Gold and jewelry disappeared after being invited for tea
“It passed for me. Someone had forgotten his key,” said a 90-year-old witness. “I can’t leave a poor pregnant woman out in the rain.” So she invited two defendants to tea – when they left the gold and jewelery were gone. In total, their damages amount to 22,770 euros. But what really counts for the Viennese: “It’s not about the money for me. I want my jewelry back. There are many memories associated with it.”
An 80-year-old victim drags himself to the witness stand with a walker. She had a similar experience: “A woman came and asked if she could come in to warm herself. It’s cold outside.’ The older woman offered her food and drinks. Even after that, she was short of money. “I hope you are at least a little ashamed of what you do to people,” her granddaughter hisses at the eight defendants before helping her grandmother out of the interrogation room.
Key safes at entrance doors have been broken into
They are just two of many victims who can testify at the trial in Vienna; some have already died. The alleged facts took place three years ago. In addition to feigning an emergency, the family clan also used another tactic: breaking into key safes at the front door. They then evacuated the apartments.
While the prosecutor talks about objectified evidence – DNA hits, recognition by victims, telephone evaluations – lawyers Peter Philipp and Alexander Philipp see it differently: “It is not just this one group of perpetrators. There are ten, fifty, even a hundred.” You can’t attribute all burglaries to the family clan.
But at least some of it was demonstrable to the jury: three of the defendants were acquitted, “there is a lack of substrate”. Five family members received an 11-month conditional suspension and a 24-month partial conditional suspension for, among other things, burglary and membership of a criminal organization. They also have to make amends to the victims. The verdicts and acquittals are not legally binding.
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.
