Sebastian Kurz: Acquittal, but the investigation continues!

Sebastian Kurz: Acquittal, but the investigation continues!

Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was recently acquitted of allegations of making false statements. However, as Krone reports, the investigations against him remain active. Since 2021, the Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) has been examining the survey case in which Kurz is suspected of infidelity and bribery. The indictment could not be finalized until summer 2026 at the earliest, while the already immense criminal file runs to over 160,000 pages.

The investigation could drag on for years, as the trial is not expected to start until 2027 at the earliest. An important witness in this matter is Thomas Schmid, the former Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance and a close confidant of Kurz. Schmid has been given the status of a key witness, as has the pollster Sabine Beinschab.

The background to the investigation

A central aspect of the investigation is Kurz's possible false statement during the Ibiza investigative committee in June 2020. At that time, he had to comment on his role in the appointment of Thomas Schmid as head of the state holding company Öbag. The WKStA has determined that Kurz may have distorted the truth in his statements, which the indictment runs to over 100 pages, as Profil explains. The allegations could bring Kurz up to three years in prison if it turns out that he actually made false statements.

The charges against Kurz come after more than two years of investigations, which were complicated by the fact that Kurz was still Chancellor during that time. In addition, Kurz's statement was interpreted by the investigators as potentially incorrect, as chats between him and Schmid raised contradictions. The WKStA also focused on Kurz's former head of cabinet Bernhard Bonelli and former Casinos Austria manager Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, who are also on trial.

Current situation and possible consequences

Despite the acquittal regarding the false statement, the situation for Kurz remains tense. The proceedings against him also have an impact on other investigations, including the advertising affair, in which Kurz is accused of placing surveys and advertisements paid for with taxpayer money. As LTO reports, Kurz is strong in his defense and vehemently denies all allegations. There is already public speculation about the former chancellor's possible return to politics, although he has so far rejected this.

Kurz's lawyers and the ÖVP, which is paying the legal fees, remain obliged to refute the allegations. The entire environment remains tense as the WKStA continues to investigate and the public awaits the next steps in this complex case.