On Monday, eight men and two women were found guilty of smuggling by the Graz Regional Criminal Court. They are alleged to have participated in the illegal transport of people in different constellations. Unsuspended prison sentences can range up to three years and three months. The judgment is not final.
The trial in Graz is only a small part of the proceedings in Vienna and other states. “These suspects are more at a lower level,” the prosecutor explained at the beginning. The smugglers’ trips always took place in convoy. A box truck illegally transporting people was accompanied by several cars. “There are different roles, and promoting smuggling is also punishable,” the public prosecutor emphasizes. This also includes issuing false visas, providing a car or giving money.
Civil patrol: Smugglers kept driving
One of the rides was particularly spectacular: two of the defendants, a couple, were riding in a box truck full of refugees when they were spotted by a civilian patrol. Officers tried to stop the car, but it continued to drive. A lengthy chase ensued. Because the 21-year-old did not have a driver’s license, he switched places with his girlfriend at full speed. She could no longer brake and crashed into a police car. Only when the officers approached the two with their weapons drawn did they give up.
“Network of Recruiters”
This “dangerous driving behavior” can be observed again and again among smugglers, as a police officer described in the witness box, and a certain willingness to use violence was also noticeable. The smugglers’ trips to Germany would earn the organization about 50,000 euros, and the trips to Austria would earn at least 30,000 euros. The refugees would have to pay 1,500 to 2,500 euros per person. “There is a huge network of recruiters,” the police officer was convinced.
The suspect confessed
All suspects have confessed, but all denied involvement in a criminal organization. Most people only want to participate in a smuggling operation once. The jury found all defendants guilty and imposed unconditional prison sentences ranging from two years and six months to three years and three months. The judgment is not final.
Source: Krone
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