The verdicts in the Styrian beer trial about the stolen beer have fallen. “It is clear to all of us that there has been a control error in the brewery,” emphasizes public prosecutor Benedikt Petzner in his closing words. “Lack of control does not entitle to years of theft.”
As a reminder: for eight years Brauunion employees allegedly forged broken goods and thus stole beer for 1.7 million euros. “You could just go there, place your order, and then the beer would leave the premises through the pallet.” According to the prosecutor, fractional numbers were invented depending on the whim and how many orders there were.
“You are always smarter afterwards”
“Had these fractional numbers been correct, the basement and warehouse would have been completely submerged,” the police investigator said. “In retrospect you are always smarter”, Brauunion’s lawyer had to admit. “But just because 180 km/h is the norm on the autobahn, it is still prohibited.”
Pleaded partially guilty
The defendants had pleaded guilty in part, but denied the amount charged from the start. In addition to commercial theft as part of a criminal organization, they were sometimes charged with embezzlement, receiving stolen goods and tax evasion by gangs.
Four accused acquitted
With all costs, he demands 2.6 million euros from the other 15 suspects. Four were acquitted on Wednesday, while the remaining eleven had (non-final) convictions. In particular, the old advertising slogan ‘Funny samma’ no longer applies to six of them and they received suspended prison terms of 15 to 24 months. The other five defendants were given unconditional fines and suspended sentences.
“Brewery Check Failed”
Unlike the public prosecutor, the jury did not recognize any criminal organization behind the goings-on in the brewery. The trial with the originally 24 suspects lasted throughout May. In his closing speech, Public Prosecutor Benedikt Petzner signaled a “control error by the brewery”. “But that does not justify years of theft,” the prosecutor emphasized.
In a second procedure, the financial side must now be clarified, which involves an amount of approximately 600,000 euros in taxes.
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.
