Criticism of investigations

Pilnacek case: Karner trusts the authorities

Interior Minister Karner trusts the investigating authorities in the Pilnacek case.(Bild: APA/Georg Hochmuth)

Following criticism of the investigation into the death of former section head Christian Pilnacek, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) has reiterated that he has "great confidence in the work of the Austrian police" and the investigating authorities. The case will be investigated "as it should be", he said at a press conference on Wednesday. Martin Kreutner, head of the commission of inquiry appointed by Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens), had filed a complaint.

The investigative commission is looking into possible political influence during the former head of section's time in office. Kreutner filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) because, among other things, detectives are said to have taken Pilnacek's cell phone after the body was found. The public prosecutor's office in Krems had not ordered the seizure of any items, and the police had not reported the seizure.

Zadic emphasizes the independence of the commission
The complaint is one of an average of 1000 complaints in connection with the police per year, said Karner. Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens) emphasized that the commission works independently and that she had not previously known that Kreutner was going to press charges.

The Freedom Party had criticized the ÖVP in connection with the investigations. FPÖ Secretary General Christian Hafenecker suspected that the People's Party wanted to find out about potentially damaging "secrets" on Pilnacek's cell phone and that Pilnacek had intended to take action against the ÖVP. Karner rejected the accusations on Wednesday. It was "miserable" to denigrate the work of the police "when you have big problems yourself".