A courtroom in Austria convicted former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Friday for giving false proof to Parliament whereas testifying. Justice of the Peace Bernhard Bonelli, Kurz’s former head of cupboard, was additionally discovered responsible within the case on one of many 4 expenses in opposition to him.
Decide Michael Radasztics gave Kurz a suspended sentence of eight months in jail and Bonelli a suspended sentence of six months. Prosecutors charged Kurz with three counts of giving false proof, however he was solely convicted for one of many counts. Radasztics justified the decision by stating that he didn’t discover Kurz’s testimony credible and that he had nothing to do with the fees in opposition to him.
In response to the decision, Kurz said on X (previously Twitter), “I nonetheless stand by the truth that I didn’t try this, and I’m assured, that I might be exonerated within the second occasion. Due to all of the supporters for the encouragement over the previous couple of days and weeks!” Kurz additionally told reporters after the trial that he was shocked by the decision.
The decision will not be last, and an appeals courtroom will evaluation the convictions.
In August 2023, Austrian prosecutors charged Kurz with giving false proof whereas testifying earlier than a parliamentary committee. The workplace accused Kurz and Bonelli of giving false testimony earlier than an investigative committee inspecting corruption allegations in opposition to Kurz’s social gathering, the Freedom Social gathering of Austria (FPÖ), following the “Ibiza affair.” The scandal emerged after two politicians from the FPÖ have been caught on camera providing the alternate of presidency contracts for the acquisition of the Austrian tabloid Kronen Zeitung, because the politicians sought optimistic protection.
Kurz served twice because the chancellor of Austria, initially from December 2017 to Might 2019 after which a second time from January 2020 to October 2021. He additionally served as Chairman of the FPÖ from 2017–2021 and Minister of Overseas Affairs from 2013–2017.
