Ex-FPÖ-Chief Strache Charged with Embezzlement

Ex-FPÖ leader Strache is accused of attempting to appropriate the premium of a life insurance policy worth over 300,000 euros, which the FPÖ Vienna had taken out for him. This was announced by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office in a statement on Wednesday. Strache "strongly denies" the accusation.

Life Insurance Taken Out by FPÖ Vienna for Strache

In addition to Strache, another person is charged. In 2007, the FPÖ Vienna took out a ten-year life insurance policy, with Strache appointed as the insured person as the state party chairman. In the event of his death, the chairman's family was to be secured, and in the event of survival, the FPÖ Vienna was entitled to the benefits. According to the prosecutor's office, in 2014, Strache and the also accused party colleague - without discussing or deciding this in a party committee - had an agreement drawn up by a lawyer between the party and Strache, according to which he should also be entitled to the premium in the event of survival.

According to the indictment, Strache is further accused of repeatedly attempting, even after his resignation, to persuade members of the FPÖ Vienna to arrange for the insurance premium to be paid out to him. He is charged with the crime of attempted breach of trust. The penalty for this is one to ten years imprisonment. The indictment is not yet legally binding, as the accused have the right to file an objection with the court within 14 days of delivery.

Indictment "Almost Relieving" for Strache

"I have never at any time engaged in any criminal behavior in this context," Strache responded to an APA inquiry. The life insurance was already decided, taken out, and subsequently "transferred and continued properly to me as the succeeding party chairman upon the request of my predecessor and with resolution in two phases," he described his perspective.

"I have never improperly disposed of party funds or had anything paid out to me - on the contrary: I expressly rejected a payout during my active time as chairman and always insisted on the correct implementation of the existing resolution, which was never questioned over many years," Strache further defended himself. "This can be confirmed by both witnesses and chat logs." According to his own statement, the ex-FPÖ leader finds it "almost relieving that this case is finally being heard before an independent court. This brings a legal conclusion to this years-long process finally within reach."

Investigations Against Strache in Several Cases

According to the statement, the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating Strache in several lines of inquiry in the criminal case. These will continue in parallel with the upcoming main trial. After the Ibiza video became known in 2019, which cost Strache his offices, investigations were conducted in various cases. The main focus is on the FPÖ expenses affair, in which there have been two indictments and ultimately acquittals so far. The Prikraf trial involved suspected law-buying in connection with a private clinic. Strache and a co-defendant were initially sentenced to suspended prison terms and later acquitted. The case concerning alleged donations to an FPÖ-affiliated association for a supervisory board position at Asfinag also ended with an acquittal for the former Vice Chancellor.

(APA/Red)

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