Today, Thursday, the verdict will be handed down on the former director of the Gloggnitz cheese factory. The 39-year-old is charged in Wiener Neustadt with five counts of murder by gross negligence and several counts of gross negligence (serious) bodily harm. The deadly listeria is said to have grown in the ‘Kajmak’ of his cheese factory. Surprise at the start of the trial day: the charges against the 39-year-old are expanded.
The dangerous germ caused five deaths in Vienna between 2020 and 2022, and sickened six other people – including a baby who suffered from listeriosis when he was born in 2022. The girl was born seven weeks prematurely and survived life-threatening sepsis.
Rats and black mold
The statements of the previous witnesses in the trial, which has been ongoing since September 2023, provide a chilling insight into the conditions in the cheese factory: There were vermin, rats, black mold and a musty smell. There was no hygiene training for the employees. One of the vans was insulated instead of cooled, and in another the cooling did not work.
The accused former cheese chef, originally from Serbia, considers himself innocent. During the process, he reacts rudely or seems bored. Judge Birgit Borns is expected to rule around noon. If convicted, the man could face a prison sentence of three years.
This article is continuously updated.
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.
