Exclusion from the public before the indictment has been read: the suspects have a tax right to do so, the judge could not decide otherwise.
Rarely, strictly speaking, almost never is there unity in the courtroom between the defendants’ lawyers and the prosecutor’s office. In the tax process of ex-Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser and his former tax adviser Peter H., which started Monday in Vienna, the time had come. Defenders Norbert Wess (KHG) and Gerald Ruhri (Peter H.) requested exclusion from the public.
Very personal area of life” affected
The representatives of the prosecutor’s office for business and corruption, Alexander Machart and Gerald Denk, had no objection – so the numerous representatives of the media flew out of the room. Judge Michael Tolstiuk could not rule otherwise as the charges relate to the Financial Criminal Code. And this is about the suspect’s “very personal area of life.” Accordingly, no information was given about income, assets – or debts in the personal data…
branched construction
It is now the case that in the civil proceedings that tax adviser H. has filed against his former client Grasser, the cards are on the table. As is known, it concerns the assignments of Grasser from his time as manager at Meinl Power (MIP). According to the indictment, the ex-treasury minister wanted to ‘save’ taxes. As a result, his tax advisor is said to have designed a branched concept from foundations and corporations from Liechtenstein to tax havens such as Cyprus and Panama.
But — according to the tax attorney’s charge in the now-dormant civil suit — Grasser has been changed by this “construction.” His tax return failed a financial audit and he was charged with tax evasion.
Judgment under exclusion
And now the criminal proceedings that could cost Grasser millions – and put him behind bars. Whether that will be the case will not be known until 4 July after 8 days of negotiations. Incidentally, the statement – especially the reasoning – also falls under “exclusion of the public”.
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.
