Benko sentenced to 15 months of conditional imprisonment

However, in part of the indictment, the 48-year-old was acquitted. His wife Nathalie was acquitted of all charges of complicity due to lack of evidence.

The couple allegedly hid cash, watches, and jewelry worth 370,000 euros in a safe belonging to relatives, thereby withholding them from creditors. For René Benko, this was the second non-final conviction for fraudulent bankruptcy - only in October, he was sentenced to two years of unconditional imprisonment in another case in Innsbruck. However, a partial acquittal was also granted here.

WKStA found defendants' arguments "unbelievable"

Specifically, according to the indictment by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA), Nathalie Benko allegedly had the safe set up in the house of her aunt and uncle in the Tyrolean Oberland just five days after René Benko filed for bankruptcy as a sole proprietor. The safe contained watches that Benko supposedly gave to his sons, aged six and eleven, for Christmas, as well as other jewelry and cash amounting to 120,000 euros. For the WKStA, the couple's explanations that Nathalie Benko wanted to secure these assets and other high-priced rings during a move were "unbelievable."

The couple, however, pleaded "not guilty" before the jury panel chaired by Judge Heide Maria Paul. They did not make any further statements in court but referred to written statements.

(APA/Red)

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