FPÖ Ombudsman Criticizes Document Deliveries in Pilnacek Case

Luisser emphasized that all government departments are constitutionally obliged to support the Ombudsman. However, in the proceedings against Pilnacek, this obligation is not being fulfilled. The Ministry of the Interior has answered questions, which raised further questions, but files have not been transmitted so far.

Pilnacek Case: FPÖ Ombudsman Speaks of "Salami Tactics"

The cooperation with the Ministry of Justice started "promisingly," but here too, the work of the Ombudsman has been gradually hindered via "salami tactics." Initially, it was said that only corpse photos of Pilnacek could not be transmitted, but subsequently, no internal correspondence of the authorities with the police was transmitted either. Additionally, there has been increasing confusion regarding the jurisdiction of individual public prosecutors.

"The behavior of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice is harassing and arbitrary," emphasized Luisser. The approach is also "extraordinary" in that there were no such hurdles in the Vienna terror attack. Other employees in the Ombudsman’s office can confirm this. Luisser now wants to work with the few documents available to the Ombudsman and announced further news around the turn of the year. A "fast-track procedure" like in investigative committees would be helpful, he appealed to the legislator.

Ministry of the Interior: FPÖ Ombudsman Was Offered Full File Inspection

The Ministry of Justice, in turn, emphasized that some of the requested files are documents of the public prosecutors, "which are to be assigned to their activity as organs of the judiciary." As an act of ordinary jurisdiction, this activity is "neither subject to the abstract review competence of the Ombudsman, nor is it covered by the specific review subject of 'clarification of possible police misconduct'." Of course, the ministry participates "fully in the review of the processes" within the framework of the legal requirements.

The official review procedure was initiated by the Ombudswoman Elisabeth Schwetz, also nominated by the FPÖ. This was justified by critical media coverage and the book by former National Council member Peter Pilz on the Pilnacek case. The hearings in the parliamentary investigative committee demanded by the Freedom Party on the same topic will begin in mid-January.

(APA/Red)

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