“Chances make thieves” – that must have been the motto of the large-scale beer theft at the Puntigam brewery. Over a million gallons of the brew, disguised as broken goods, changed hands in eight years. On Monday and Tuesday, 50 more witnesses are to be heard before the sentences are handed down on Wednesday.
Judge Andreas Rom described the case as a “pre-eminent self-service store”. Negotiations have been going on in Graz since early May. Of the initially 24 suspects, one case has now been dropped, one diversion has been completed and five men have been acquitted.
The other accused cellar masters and forklift drivers have problems with the amount of stolen beer charged by prosecutor Benedikt Petzner. The video surveillance of a detective agency, however, speaks volumes, where you see pallets with stolen goods leave the premises.
Witnesses have no memory
On Monday, after three weeks of negotiations, the first of the last 50 witnesses were questioned. Mainly buyers of broken goods, where the procedures have been stopped. And what they all have in common is the decline in volumes. Instead of 15 boxes, there were “just six”. Or the police registered something wrong. Or you just don’t remember.
Also interesting is a letter to the chairman. Senders are “We locals”. The letter refers to the alleged actions of a defendant: “He also sold refrigerators, boxes and barrels to department stores for years. He is very rich. He deserves a hefty fine!” – “Obviously you have good friends back home, don’t you?” Rom says towards the suspect “Certainly jealous,” he shrugs.
The verdicts will fall on Wednesday, but the case is far from over for the accused. Because stolen beer is also subject to the beer tax. After this process, the financial criminal case follows.
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.
