Benko and Co.: Investigations in Vienna's custody shake the High Society

Benko and Co.: Investigations in Vienna's custody shake the High Society

Josefstadt, Wien, Österreich - René Benko, who was once known as a billionaire and prominent Tyrolean real estate entrepreneur, has been in pre -trial detention in the Vienna Joschaft facility since January 24, 2025. According to the public prosecutor, there is a “risk of act”, which the decision on custody justifies. The allegation against Benko contains fraud and infidelity. He is suspected of leading investors to false investments by stating that the Benko Private Foundation family will bring 35 million euros into Signa Holding GmbH. In fact, however, these funds came from the investors themselves, which indicates that Benko wanted to operate a capital increase money carousel, as the press.

The U-Knst by Benko was last extended until February 28, 2025. At the first hearing, the judge said that the risk of blackout and escape was imposed for reasons. The exact conditions in the investigation prison are spartan. The detention room, in which Benko is housed, is first monitored by camera for safety reasons and includes a wet room with a sink and toilet. U-prisoners who are not employed in the institution are only allowed to shower twice a week, while Benko has so far not shown any interest in participating in working programs.

Development of the conditions of detention

The next adhesive test for Benko is scheduled at the latest on June 10, 2025. In the meantime, he has commissioned his lawyers to defend it. The experienced criminal defense lawyer Norbert Wess, who also Florian Fritsch, a German entrepreneur, represents, takes care of Benko's affairs. Fritsch is accused of stolen 14 kilograms of gold from a Vienna depot and was arrested in Regensburg. The Nuremberg Higher Regional Court approved the delivery to Austria, and the Vienna public prosecutor's office confirmed that Fritsch has now arrived in Austria. A judge will decide on the weekend about Fritsch's U-Knapprage.

The Josefstadt judiciary is increasingly becoming a scene of spectacular investigations against formerly influential entrepreneurs, and developments around Benko and Fritsch are correspondingly a lot of attention. All affected people enjoy the presumption of innocence, while the judiciary carefully checks the allegations, such as 5min

In order to understand the framework conditions of the custody a little better, it is important to know that such a prison is only imposed at the request of the public prosecutor and by the court's decision. There must be an urgent suspicion, and the reasons for detention include the risk of escape and the possibility that the accused could commit crimes again or destroy evidence of the allegations against him. The legal foundations for the custody are executed in detail in [Österreich.GV.at] (https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/gesetze_recht/strafrecht/7/2/ page 2460305.html).

If you look at the events around René Benko, it becomes clear that the custody influences not only the life of the entrepreneur, but also that of his roommates in the judiciary. The coming weeks will show which new developments can be expected in this complex case.