Kickl under pressure: Investigations for false statements in the U-Committee!

Kickl under pressure: Investigations for false statements in the U-Committee!

Wien, Österreich - The center of a political scandal is FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl, who once acted as the Interior Minister. At a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokolzew, Kickl received an admiral dagger from the Russian Navy on October 30, 2018. The incident now raises questions, because Kickl stated that he had taken the dagger as a souvenir from the Ministry of the Interior. In a parliamentary request from the SPÖ MP Kai Jan Krainer, it was informed that honorary and guest gifts will be transferred to the republic and should not be kept privately. However, the answer from the Ministry of the Interior came as a surprise: the preservation of the dagger was not known, which also did not make an inventory. This raises the pressing question of where the dagger is today, while an request from OE24 to the FPÖ has so far been unanswered.

Kickl's immunity canceled

The political drama takes a turn, because the Austrian parliament recently lifted Herbert Kickl's immunity. He is accused of wrongly testifying as part of the "Red-Blauer abuse of power". The U-Committee deals with political corruption and already interviewed several witnesses. The focus is on Kickl's statements about an advertising agency in Carinthia in which he was involved. The suspicion of the false statement has already led to an advertisement by the ÖVP. While Kickl rejects the allegations and speaks of "persecution justice", the economic and corruption prosecutor can now take legal action. The complexity of the topics in the committee of inquiry also complicates the political and political debates between the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos, which are currently looking for a new coalition.

In addition, the U-Committee is sheding light on serious allegations that may have played a role in the allocation of posts and funds in Austrian politics. Impact by the release of documents could soon lead to further committees of investigation together with the final report. Similar to the case of the former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who, according to his statement in the "Ibiza" examination committee, experienced considerable legal pressure, the processes once again show the network of politics and potential corruption in Austria. Kickl remains in his position until further notice, while the investigation progresses and threatening new revelations.