According to the Viennese public prosecutor’s office, five Austrians defrauded the Romanian state of 14 million euros. The trial on allegations dating back decades will begin in a few days.
On June 11, an explosive trial about infidelity and bribery begins in Wiener Landl. The Vienna public prosecutor’s office has charged five Austrians – four men and one woman aged between 54 and 63 – over an alleged crime that took place 20 years ago and allegedly involved the highest political circles.
Background: Until the early 2000s, the Romanian government used its computer software without proper licenses. To change this situation, a contract must be concluded with a partner of the software company. Romania found what they were looking for at a company in Vienna, where the suspects were involved in various roles in the megabusiness.
On April 14, 2004, the Romanian state acquired software licenses for an amount equivalent to almost 50 million euros. According to the indictment, “numerous lobbyists and decision-makers of the Romanian state previously demanded the payment of ‘commissions'” – which had been promised by the defendants and some of which were said to have flowed: according to, among others, the StA Vienna, to Adrian Nastase, the former Prime Minister of Romania, and to several of its ministers!
It is the presumption of innocence. The alleged bribes worth around 14 million euros are said to be “hidden” in the contract price. In the form of kickbacks, money was sent to the respective decision makers through fake companies.
25 witnesses, initially scheduled for a six-day trial
Unusually, one of the defendants was last questioned in 2013 and now charges are being brought forward. And: According to reports, there is no ongoing procedure in Romania. Initially, a six-day trial is planned and 25 witnesses have been called. The suspects are represented by well-known criminal lawyers, such as Rudolf Mayer and Harald Schuster.
Source: Krone
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