LIVE Blog: Verdict Expected on Second Day of Benko Trial

The detained Rene Benko stated on Tuesday that he is "not guilty." He also did not want to answer any further questions and referred to a statement submitted last week. However, Benko criticized the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) and described the senior prosecutor's presentations in court as "unparalleled cynicism."

Benko Trial as the Start of a Series of Trials Against Former Signa Chief

The latter, however, saw the 48-year-old Benko as guilty of having "set aside" money to reduce or prevent the satisfaction of his creditors. Benko's lawyer Norbert Wess, on the other hand, argued that the indictment is "wrong both in terms of the facts and the legal assessment." Rene Benko is accused of having withdrawn assets amounting to around 660,000 euros from the reach of his creditors by "setting them aside" or transferring them to companies and private foundations as well as to his mother. This is the first small start - in terms of the scope of the indictment - of what is likely to be a whole series of trials that Rene Benko faces.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.