Sebastian Kurz in court: do he really threaten eight months in prison?

Sebastian Kurz in court: do he really threaten eight months in prison?

Justizpalast Wien, Österreich - ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz is again the focus of the Austrian judiciary, while he is fighting for an eight-month-conditional prison sentence for false statements in the U-Committee. Today, on May 26, 2025, he joined the Palace of Justice at 8:45 a.m. to face the appeal hearing before the Higher Regional Court of Vienna. The negotiation started on time at 9 a.m. Kurz described his conviction from February 2024 as "difficult to understand" and criticized the bias of the judicial judge Michael Radasztics, who had previously been convicted of disciplinary offense.

The indictment refers to short statements in the 2020 U-Committee, where it is accused of not fully stated by his role in ordering leaders from the Austrian Federal and Bediary (ÖBAG). According to the first instance judgment, his role in this process briefly downturned, which led to the conviction. His defense, led by lawyer Otto Dietrich, argued that it tried briefly to answer the questions in the committee in the best possible way. Kurz was interrupted during his statement, which, according to Dietrich, restricted the possibility of explaining decisive details.

Appointment hearing and background

The negotiation was accompanied by great public interest because it is part of the far-reaching investigation that follows the so-called "Ibiza incidents". In this context, the lawyer from Kurz found that the executive also gave the impression that the statement would be interpreted specific aspects. The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor (WKStA) confirmed the judgments and will also have their say in the further course. The Dreiersenat of the Higher Regional Court has the opportunity to confirm the judgments or to change the sentence; A final decision would then be final.

In addition to the ongoing legal disputes, the Kreutner report, published by an investigation commission led by Martin Kreutner, shows profound structural problems in the Austrian judicial system. The report addresses the lack of transparency and political instructions that influence charges. These aspects also initiated the debate about the reform of the Austrian judicial system, in particular the need for an independent Attorney General.

The political environment

The investigation according to the "Ibiza video" not only showed the legal challenges for short and its former head of cabinet Bernhard Bonelli, but also revealed far-reaching institutional weaknesses in Austrian politics. The allegations that were raised against him vehemently fought vehemently, while the presumption of innocence continues to apply. The political implications of these negotiations are enormous because they question the public's trust in the rule of law and the integrity of the Austrian institutions.