After witnesses contradicted themselves during their questioning, the jury court acquitted the defendant with finality. He was accused of having instigated three people to, among other things, kidnap and torture a real estate manager. Due to the dangerousness of the accused, the public prosecutor initially also requested placement in a forensic-therapeutic center.

Trial Over Planned Kidnapping of Real Estate Manager: Doubts During Witness Examination

However, during the examination of the witnesses, doubts arose as to whether the incidents actually occurred as charged, as they repeatedly contradicted themselves. Their statements deviated so significantly from their police interviews that the presiding judge, Stefan Renner, even pointed out to them that they could face proceedings for false testimony, as they are obliged to tell the truth both to the court and the police. Even the public prosecutor spoke of "not very credible witnesses." Court psychiatrist Peter Hofmann also no longer upheld his report following the witness statements.

Accused of Plans to Kidnap Real Estate Manager

The entrepreneur was originally accused of having suggested to two cousins from Romania, to whom he owed 20,000 euros, to kidnap a top manager of a real estate company. Under the threat of a firearm, the manager was then supposed to transfer 1.5 million euros. He even wanted to persuade another acquaintance, who was friendly with the accused despite outstanding payments, to kidnap four people: the manager, an entrepreneur, as well as his ex-wife and his son. They were then to be locked in two construction containers on the property, and both men tortured until they transferred large sums of money.

Defendant Pleaded "Not Guilty" in Trial Over Planned Kidnapping of Real Estate Manager

In his jury trial, the defendant pleaded not guilty and spoke of a conspiracy, which he could not convincingly explain. The jury believed the defendant's version. Due to the many contradictions - from overheard phone conversations to the timeline of the kidnapping orders - they found it proven that the witnesses apparently wanted to falsely attribute the crime to the man out of anger over the unpaid debts. No further legal remedy was taken against the verdict.

(APA/Red)

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