13 months in prison

Verdict in the listeria trial over five deaths in Vienna

Despite the new accusations, the defendant in the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court is in an optimistic mood.(Bild: Einsatzdoku.at; Anja Richter Krone KREATIV,)

Guilty verdict for the former managing director of the Gloggnitz cheese dairy (Lower Austria): The 39-year-old was charged in Wiener Neustadt with five counts of grossly negligent homicide and multiple counts of grossly negligent (grievous) bodily harm. The deadly listeria grew in the "Kajmak" of his cheese dairy. The sentence: 13 months in prison.

The dangerous germ led to five deaths in Vienna between 2020 and 2022, and six other people fell ill - including a baby who suffered from listeriosis at birth in 2022. The baby girl was born seven weeks prematurely and survived a life-threatening sepsis.

Rats and black mold
The testimonies of the witnesses in the trial, which began in September 2023, provided a worrying insight into the conditions in the cheese dairy: there was talk of vermin, rats, black mold and a musty smell. There had been no hygiene training for the employees. One of the delivery vans was only insulated instead of refrigerated, and the refrigeration in another did not work.

Despite the new allegations, the defendant in the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court was in an optimistic mood.(Bild: Einsatzdoku.at; Anja Richter Krone KREATIV,)

Accused allegedly beat his wife
The accused former cheese chef from Serbia considers himself innocent. At the start of the trial day on Thursday, the public prosecutor surprised everyone by expanding the charges to include breach of trust, assault, attempted assault and coercion. "He injured his wife's body in the office by grabbing her roughly by the neck and slapping her in the face," says the prosecutor.

"Maybe grabbed her a little harder ..."
A video of the unsightly incident from March 10, 2023 is played in the courtroom. It shows a loudly screaming woman being attacked by the defendant. "I didn't hit her, I pushed her and maybe grabbed her a little harder that day," he pleads not guilty despite the footage. The video also shows the man pushing away an employee who rushed to help. "I wasn't injured in any way," says the employee as a witness in court. 

The accused 39-year-old in front of Judge Birgit Borns(Bild: zVg)

The new allegations will be heard in March
Another new accusation from the public prosecutor's office concerns the bankruptcy of the Gloggnitz cheese dairy. The former boss is alleged to have knowingly withdrawn cash from the cash box. As further witnesses are required and in order not to delay the proceedings, the judge rules out the new allegations. The same applies to two cases of infection involving a restaurant in Vienna. Further witnesses are also needed here. All these facts will now be heard on March 14. 

"Just the tip of the iceberg"
On the third day of the trial on Thursday, an expert witness will have his say: "The same listeria strain was found in the sick patients as in the Gloggnitz cheese dairy. There is no doubt that these strains belong together. The listeria can only come from this source." The incubation period is very long and lasts up to 70 days. "We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg with these cases. There were certainly many more illnesses that went undetected because they were milder," reports the expert.

13 months and 25,000 euros in pain and suffering
He is now going through all of the accused cases of infection again individually. One of the victims had to receive intensive medical care for 188 days. The Viennese man, who had no previous illnesses, is now permanently dependent on care. Other cases are no less shocking.

"The most tragic thing about this trial is the people who are no longer with us. Regardless of whether I am to blame, it is the worst thing that can happen. I am infinitely sorry," the former managing director affirms in his closing words. "I want this all to end quickly. And that I can continue my life honestly." At around 12.30 p.m., Judge Birgit Borns pronounces the sentence: 13 months in prison and 25,000 euros in pain and suffering for three victims. Not legally binding.