The regional court needed a witness from Australia. The man took a five-day holiday from the trial visit and received costs of 8,700 euros from the judiciary. Wrongly, as the Federal Administrative Court has now said.
Whether witness or judge: if the court charges criminal proceedings, you must come. Even if you live on the other side of the earth. Such was the case with a man living in Australia: as the only witness in a fraud trial, he had to go to the regional court in Salzburg on June 27, 2023.
8700 euro invoice submitted
The affected person made a five-day judicial visit trip. Flight, hotel and meals – four times breakfast, four times lunch and four times dinner – invited the affected person to court. In total: 8641 euros. Sidney’s return flight alone cost 8180 euros.
Reviewer criticizes: “The most expensive flight and longest route”
The trial ended with an acquittal, the court had to pay the procedural costs – including those of the witness. A year and a half later, the auditor of the higher regional court noticed the invoice, he filed a complaint with the Federal Administrative Court: “Without documentation and without any investigation” the “extremely high flight and subsistence allowances” were granted. The witness even chose the most expensive flight and the longer route via North America, although there were considerably cheaper ones.
The Federal Administrative Court calls for a new decision on the compensation. It all remains open whether the witness must reimburse the costs.
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.
