The indictment is a “blatant mistake,” lawyer Norbert Wess said indignantly on behalf of his clients. One of them is Erik Prince, Donald Trump’s closest confidant. He is said to have been involved in converting agricultural aircraft for military purposes. The American is now on trial in Wiener Neustadt.
There is an atypical crowd at the regional court in Wiener Neustadt. Photographers crowd the grand jury room. There the trial begins against two agricultural aircraft that were allegedly converted for military purposes.
Trump confidante indicted in Wiener Neustadt
Why the great media interest? A close confidante of former US President Donald Trump, Erik Prince, is accused. The investor is alleged to have been involved in the violation of the War Materials Act. Together with the first accused pilot, two directors of the Austrian company Airborne Technologies GmbH and a manager, he allegedly took two of the civilian planes to South Sudan and Bulgaria – which he said had previously been converted into war planes. the criminal complaint.
Another special feature of the process: the translations take place simultaneously in Wiener Neustadt. Three of the defendants speak English, the interpreter translates through headphones and the men have the counterpart in their ears – a clear time-saver.
“This case almost never happens”
Also during the presentation of the public prosecutor, who emphasized at the beginning: “Today we are negotiating a special case that otherwise almost never occurs.” Because Austrian law on war materials is rarely enforced. The prosecutor explains how Erik Prince, ex-Navy Seal and founder of the company Blackwater – a military services company mainly in the US – acted as a link between the agricultural aircraft company and the Airborne thanks to his ‘vast wealth of experience in this field’. of special operations”. Technologies GmbH.
Where as a result several changes were made:
- Installation of an additional fuel tank and aluminum lining of the tank to prevent explosion hazard
- The engine and cockpit were hardened with steel plates and the glass surfaces of the cockpit were also reinforced
- A camera has been installed that, according to the Public Prosecution Service, can be used for target detection and tracking
- According to the prosecutor, universally applicable suspensions must be installed – for attaching weapon systems.
“Such adjustments have been made that it is no longer a civil aircraft,” the public prosecutor summarizes after his list. “From the authority’s point of view, civil aircraft were converted into unlicensed military aircraft. And for which no permit had been obtained.” South Sudan is not on the list of countries where a corresponding import from Austria could be allowed.
Airborne Technologies GmbH should also be punished
In addition to convicting the five men under the War Material Act, the representative of the Public Prosecution Service also wants to hold Airborne Technologies GmbH liable and demands a fine for the association.
“I agree with you on one thing: on the one hand, it is a not well-known law and it is a special procedure. “I still don’t agree with you in any way about the rest,” says attorney Norbert Wess, attorney for Erik Prince and two other defendants, who says nothing good about the accuser. There is no dispute about what happened and what was carried out, “but the criminal classification is plainly wrong,” Wess sharply criticizes.
Landing in South Sudan due to technical problems
Point by point he provides a preview of the report of an expert who assessed the adjustments. According to Wess, none of the conversions were intended for military purposes, and the technician confirmed that. “We have fully clarified all points on which the public prosecutor was critical. Nothing was swept under the carpet here.”
The suspect’s plan, namely that the five men would report that they wanted to take one of the planes to Kenya – but which landed in South Sudan – was also completely fabricated. There were fuel problems and a landing in South Sudan was essential, explains lawyer Norbert Wess.
The suspects remain silent during the trial
All suspects plead not guilty during the trial. They make no further statements. Even before the main hearing, attorney Norbert Wess and his colleague submitted an extensive written statement – which the men relied solely on.
If convicted under the War Materials Act, the defendants face up to three years in prison. The trial continues on December 14.
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.
