Second Indictment Against Rene Benko Legally Binding

A spokeswoman for the Innsbruck Higher Regional Court (OLG) informed the APA upon request that both Rene Benko and a co-defendant have now withdrawn their objections to the indictment.

Benko Indictment Final - Second Trial Likely to Take Place This Year

Benko's lawyer Norbert Wess confirmed the withdrawal of the objection to the APA on Thursday for his client, as did the spokeswoman for the Innsbruck Regional Court, Birgit Fink, for both defendants. The file now returns to the regional court. Benko has "an interest in having this second trial take place soon," Wess explained the current step to the "Kurier" (online edition). Thus, the indictment was final. The scheduling of a trial date by the Innsbruck Regional Court was still pending. This will now happen soon, and the regional court will announce it via a press release, it was said. According to APA information, the second Benko trial could take place in the Tyrolean state capital as early as November and be scheduled for just one day.

According to the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA), the second indictment involves damages totaling 370,000 euros. Benko is alleged to have concealed assets, thereby reducing the fulfillment of creditor claims during his insolvency as a sole proprietor. Specifically, it involves cash amounting to 120,000 euros as well as eleven high-priced watches and cufflinks, watch straps, and other items with a total value of almost 250,000 euros. The assets were reportedly hidden in a safe at the home of Benko's relatives. The co-defendant is said to have assisted in this.

Due to Pre-Trial Detention, Vienna Regional Criminal Court Remains Responsible

Benko has been in pre-trial detention since January. A week before his first trial in his hometown, he was transferred from the Vienna-Josefstadt prison to the Innsbruck prison. Any decisions regarding pre-trial detention would still fall under the jurisdiction of the Vienna Regional Criminal Court, emphasized Innsbruck Regional Court spokeswoman Fink.

The former real estate tycoon and Signa founder Benko was sentenced to imprisonment for fraudulent bankruptcy at the Innsbruck Regional Court on Wednesday. While he was acquitted in the case concerning an advance payment of rent and operating costs amounting to 360,000 euros, the 48-year-old was found guilty regarding a 300,000-euro gift to his mother. The verdict was initially not final. Neither the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) nor the defense made a statement. Lawyer Wess stated after the trial that it was "rather likely" that an appeal and nullity complaint would be filed against the verdict regarding the 300,000-euro gift. However, there was still time until Monday to make the decision.

(APA/Red)

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