An unusual trial against Carinthian mayor Peter Suntinger, mayor of the municipality of Großkirchheim, took place at the Vienna Regional Court on Monday afternoon. He had to answer for encouraging criminal acts.
The decisive factor was Suntinger’s conversation with the news magazine ‘Profil’, in which he explained last summer that his community would pay 2,500 euros for each wolf carcass presented – regardless of whether the animal had been properly deterred or not.
Although Suntinger initially defended the ruling, he eventually accepted a diversion offer from the judge and paid a fine of 2,000 euros plus 150 euros in legal costs to avoid conviction. Suntinger emphasized that he would abide by the law in the future. He is therefore still considered blameless. However, the decision is not legally binding. The public prosecutor has reserved a statement.
Apologized in court
Suntinger argued that the bounty was necessary to protect sheep farmers and ranchers, claiming that there were many more problem wolves in Carinthia than officially declared. He stressed that the wolf should be shot if spotted. Although he initially maintained his innocence, Suntinger later apologized, stated that his actions were illegal and regretted them.
“I wanted to wake people up,” the mayor argued. He predicted that the new Carinthian grazing rules, which come into effect on May 15, would bring relief in the fight against problem wolves.
Source: Krone
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