Grasser lawyer Ainedter: Forensification is my life's work!
Grasser lawyer Ainedter: Forensification is my life's work!
Wien, Österreich - The legal disputes about Karl-Heinz Grasser, the former Austrian finance minister, are drawing more and more circles. Manfred Ainedter, an experienced criminal defense lawyer and Graser's legal companion for over 20 years, describes the Buwog process as his life's work. Grasser was convicted in this procedure and now has to start a prison sentence after his guilty verdict has been canceled due to the forgery of evidence. However, Ainedter has his own view of the conviction that he considers to be wrong. He sees the strict legal framework that emphasize material truth research in the first instance and demands a reform of the judicial system.
The prison sentence for Grasser from the Supreme Court was reduced from eight to four years. At the same time, the penalties of his co-accused were also reduced: Walter Meischberger, the former FPÖ general secretary, was convicted from seven to three and a half years, while ex-lobbyist Peter Hochegger received a reduction of six to three years. Despite these reductions, the OGH judge's senate chairman Christa Hetlinger emphasized that the severe corruption offenses that are accused of the accused should not be trivialized. Overall, the deeds were classified with a damage extent of almost ten million euros.lengthy process with weighty consequences
The Buwog process is one of the greatest corruption processes in Austrian history, with a procedure of almost 15 years. Experts rate the long duration of the procedure as an essential reason for mitigation. Almost 160 terabytes of data were viewed by the authorities and around 700 interrogations were carried out. Ainedter is glad that the guilty verdict against Grasser was at least partially canceled, but at the same time sees the subjective finding truth in the judicial system as a problem.
The former finance minister and his co -accused announced that it would submit a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because they are convinced of a "misalignment". Experts assume that it is unlikely that Grasser and Meischberger will have to serve completely. After serving half of the prison sentence, you could make an application for early dismissal, which could give the justice course.
fight against corruption in Austria
While Grasser deals with the consequences of his procedure, there is a broader context to consider: dealing with corruption in Austria is criticized by the European Council of State against Corruption (Greco) as inadequate. Of 19 recommendations that were pronounced in 2017 to avoid corruption among MPs, judges and prosecutors, only three were fully implemented. In the recommendations of 2023, progress remained similarly lean, regarding the prevention of corruption in the government and law enforcement authorities.
The Greco criticizes particularly missing clearly regulated measures in dealing with lobbyists as well as with regard to the acceptance of gifts and on sanction mechanisms for violations. A lack of transparency affects not only the appointment of general secretaries in the ministries, but also the allocation of consultant contracts.
In summary, the process of Karl-Heinz Grasser faces many challenges before the legal enforcement and Austrian corruption management. The demands for reforms and more transparent handling of corruption become louder, while at the same time the legal system in the current cause is further checked. Public perception and trust in the judiciary could decisively depend on the upcoming developments.| Details | |
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| Ort | Wien, Österreich |
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