Trial in Innsbruck

Tyrolean man (64) allegedly flooded café over dispute

The 64-year-old had to sit in the dock at Innsbruck Regional Court.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

A 64-year-old Tyrolean man had to stand trial in Innsbruck because he deliberately turned on a tap and flooded a café in the district of Innsbruck-Land that had been closed for some time. But the man vehemently denied the accusation.

"I have absolutely no explanation as to how the damage could have occurred," said the accused. "Perhaps due to an improperly dismantled dishwasher."

The defendant and the owner of the house have been involved in a legal dispute for some time, including a pending eviction suit.

Die Staatsanwältin zu einem möglichen Motiv

According to the public prosecutor, the defendant, who lives in the attic of the building and also ran the café below for a long time, certainly had a motive for the flooding. The 64-year-old and the owner of the building have been involved in a legal dispute for some time, including a pending action for eviction.

Technical defect also possible
At the trial, however, the judge only recognized "vague suspicions" and ultimately acquitted the Tyrolean. It was not possible to say with absolute certainty whether a "technical fault" was responsible for the flooding of the restaurant on April 12.