si case: according to a media report, pollster arrested – Politics Abroad

New developments in Austrian corruption case!

In corruption proceedings surrounding the conservative OVP and former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, a surveyor was arrested.

A related report in the newspaper “Der Standard” was confirmed by lawyers and government circles to the Austrian news agency APA.

Allegation: The Public Prosecutor suspects that the pollster played a central role in the creation of ornate surveys for the benefit of the OVPs, which were then placed in the media. Tax money has been embezzled for this.

The reason for the arrest is stated to be the risk of blackout – that is, the risk that evidence may be destroyed, altered or affected. Shortly before he searched the house on October 6, the accused is said to have erased the hard drive of his computer.

The Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) did not confirm the process. She said she was not allowed to respond to inquiries about specific investigative measures in the ongoing investigation. The suspect’s lawyer was initially unavailable.

that’s the background

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and nine other suspects for possible breach of trust, bribery and corruption. Kurz’s team is said to have organized the 35-year-old’s ascension into the party and government in collaboration with a media company and used tax money for it. Kurz and the media house vehemently denied the allegations.

Kurz resigned on Saturday evening under pressure of a corruption probe against him. He justified his resignation with an otherwise threatening “stalemate” brought on by the Green Alliance ally. The Greens deliberately turned away from him, criticizing Kurz. The new Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schellenberg has announced a continuation of the course set by his predecessor.

Schalenberg is one of the closest circles to Kurz. Both share a number of similar fundamental positions – above all in their migration policy and their attitude towards Turkey. The new chancellor also backed his predecessor with regard to allegations of corruption.