VIENNA (AP) — On Monday, a court in Vienna acquitted former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of charges related to making false statements during a parliamentary inquiry into allegations of corruption within his government. This ruling reversed a previous verdict from February 2024, in which Kurz had received a suspended prison sentence for similar charges.
A panel of judges at Vienna's upper state court reached the acquittal after a brief appeal hearing, as reported by the Austria Press Agency. The case primarily focused on Kurz's testimony during a parliamentary inquiry that scrutinized his leadership of a coalition government from 2017 to its collapse in 2019. The coalition was formed between Kurz's conservative Austrian People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party.
Prosecutors initially accused the 38-year-old former chancellor of providing false evidence in June 2020 regarding his involvement in the establishment of a holding company known as OeBAG. This company is responsible for overseeing the state’s interests in various enterprises, and it was alleged that Kurz misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the appointment of his former close aide, Thomas Schmid, to its leadership role.
In the earlier verdict, Kurz was found guilty of making false statements pertaining specifically to the appointment of OeBAG's supervisory board, although he was acquitted of any wrongdoing related to Schmid's appointment. The sentence imposed in February included an eight-month suspended prison term, highlighting the seriousness of the convictions despite the judges’ recent decision to overturn them.
The Vienna court’s ruling marks a significant turnaround for Kurz, who has been embroiled in legal challenges that stemmed from his time in office. This acquittal also has potential implications for his political future and public perception as he remains a prominent figure in Austrian politics. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to observe how these legal proceedings affect both Kurz and the broader political landscape in Austria.
