Prison sentences

Graz smuggling trial: 10 defendants convicted

The Graz Regional Criminal Court

(Bild: Juergen Radspieler)

On Monday, eight men and two women were found guilty of human trafficking in the Graz Regional Criminal Court. They are alleged to have been involved in the illegal transportation of people in various constellations. The unconditional prison sentences range up to three years and three months. The verdict is not final.

The trial in Graz is only a small part of proceedings in Vienna and other provinces. "These defendants are at the lower level," the public prosecutor explained at the beginning. The smuggling tours had always taken place as a convoy. A van with illegally transported people was accompanied by several cars. "There are different roles, even the promotion of smuggling is punishable," emphasized the public prosecutor. This also includes issuing false visas, providing a car or giving money.

Civil patrol: touts simply drove on
One of the journeys was particularly spectacular: two of the defendants, who were a couple, were driving a van full of refugees when they caught the eye of a plainclothes patrol. The officers wanted to stop the van, but it simply drove on. A lengthy chase ensued. As the 21-year-old did not have a driver's license, he swapped places with his girlfriend at full speed. She was unable to brake and drove into a police vehicle. It was only when the officers approached the two with their guns drawn that they gave up.

There are different roles, and facilitating trafficking is also a criminal offense.

Grazer Staatsanwältin

"Network of recruiters"
This "dangerous driving behavior" can be observed again and again with smugglers, a police officer described on the witness stand, and a certain willingness to use violence can also be observed. The smuggling trips to Germany would bring in around 50,000 euros for the organization, while trips to Austria would still bring in 30,000 euros. The refugees have to pay 1500 to 2500 euros per person. "There is a huge network of recruiters," the police officer was convinced.

The accused confessed
All of the accused confessed, but all denied being involved in a criminal organization. Most of them claim to have only participated once in a smuggling operation. The jury found all the defendants guilty and handed down unconditional prison sentences ranging from two years and six months to three years and three months. The verdict is not final.