Are the police coming now?

“Important reasons”: Benko cancels for the U-committee

Real estate juggler Rene Benko has once again refused to appear before the COFAG-U committee. Now he could actually be presented with the help of the executive.

(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

It's fixed now: Rene Benko will definitely not be appearing at the U Committee this week. The real estate juggler has canceled for "several important reasons". He could now be presented in May under police escort.

According to "Krone" information, Benko's lawyer Norbert Wess sent the letter of apology with the refusal to parliament late on Tuesday afternoon. According to Wess, the information situation in the U-committee has not yet improved and the important reasons for the apology are therefore still valid.

Court hearing in Innsbruck on Wednesday
The lawyer also pointed out that Benko has a court hearing in Innsbruck on Wednesday, which has been listed in the edict file since the beginning of March. This court hearing concerns his personal insolvency proceedings as an entrepreneur. "Benko has therefore excused himself for Wednesday for several important reasons," emphasizes Wess.

COFAG-U committee

(Bild: Matthias Fuchs)

Benko's lawyer abroad on Thursday
Nevertheless, his client was sent a new summons for Thursday "without prior consultation about possible availability". Wess was again unable to attend this summons. The reason for this was that he had to spend the whole day abroad for professional reasons "in order to attend several appointments - including an appointment with the authorities".

Benko lawyer Norbert Wess

(Bild: APA/Herbert Neubauer)

"Unreasonable"
According to Wess, it would therefore be unreasonable for Benko to appear before the U-Committee on Thursday without the person of trust he had mandated and to testify at best. And Benko would have to appear before the sub-committee with a confidant who was in no way adequately prepared, "especially as the new summons was sent to the legal representation at such short notice". 

According to Wess, another point was relevant for the refusal: there were less than 50 hours between the summons being sent by post and the date of the hearing. During this time, Benko also had to prepare for the court hearing in Innsbruck. 

What happens now with Benko?
How the parties will deal with the new refusal is still unclear.  The Greens, but also the Social Democrats, had announced that they would take Benko to court in the event of another refusal. A legal dispute could be the result. If this ends in favor of the opposition parties, Benko could be brought before the U Committee in May under police escort.

Brunner, Blümel and Kogler to testify on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, his Turkish predecessor Gernot Blümel and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler are expected to appear before the committee.