Austria's graffiti crime: millions in damages for taxpayers!

Austria's graffiti crime: millions in damages for taxpayers!

ÖBB is under pressure after damage caused by graffiti jumped to 4.5 million euros in 2024, an increase of 1.4 million euros. According to a recent announcement, the damage to trains and railway facilities is not just a trivial offense, but a serious offense against taxpayers' property. This development is viewed as alarming, especially since ÖBB has continuously tightened its measures against sprayers. “Every individual graffiti is consistently reported and documented,” explained a spokesman, to ensure that old offenses can also be prosecuted. The parking facilities in the eastern region, where the hotspots of acts of vandalism are located, are particularly affected Small newspaper reported.

In another controversial case, Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman is demanding an exorbitant amount of $15.8 billion from the Luxembourg government in compensation for the freezing of his assets related to EU sanctions. This sum, which refers to the estimated value of his frozen property, is seen by Fridman as a prerequisite for an “amicable settlement” since a Luxembourg court recently declared the sanctions against him and his business partner Pyotr Aven to be insufficiently substantiated. The demand could have far-reaching legal consequences if negotiations fail, as Fridman plans to go to court if rejected. The situation shows that sanctions against oligarchs may not be as legally secure as generally assumed. The reported more about this The press, which makes the event even more explosive.