Strong suspicion
Benko already before a judge today!
René Benko's first trial was actually not scheduled until February 7. But surprisingly, the record-breaking bankrupt had to appear before the judge on Friday. It is now certain that he will remain in custody for at least another month.
As the "Krone" learned, Benko's trial date had been brought forward "ex officio" to Friday at 1 pm. The Vienna Regional Court finally decided on Friday that the fallen real estate juggler would not be released.
"Continued urgent suspicion"
"The court continues to assume that there is urgent suspicion of the crime and that the grounds for detention are present," the judicial authorities announced. Officially, it was stated that the postponement had taken place "for scheduling reasons".
However, anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the bankrupt, who has been in custody for a week, was disappointed. The 47-year-old was taken via a direct connection from the prison in room E 059 to the neighboring Vienna Landl, where first the senior prosecutor of the WKStA and then Benko's lawyer had their say. At around 2.30 p.m., it was clear that the pre-trial detention of the Tyrolean would be extended by one month due to the risk of the offense being committed and the risk of the case being concealed.
The court continues to assume that there is urgent suspicion and that the grounds for detention are present.
Mitteilung des Landesgerichts für Strafsachen Wien
An appeal against the decision to extend the pre-trial detention can now be lodged with the Vienna Higher Regional Court within three days. The defense made no statement.
In custody in the "gray house"
The former billionaire speculator was arrested in his office in Innsbruck on January 23. After a brief interrogation, he was finally transferred to the Josefstadt prison in Vienna on the same day, and Benko was remanded in custody the following day.
The first trial was actually scheduled for February 7 - Benko would have had to enjoy the Häfn menu in the "Graues Haus" for at least that long (we reported). But now he had to appear before the judge just one week after his arrest.
Release unlikely
It is more than unlikely that Benko will be released in the near future. The pre-trial detention must now be reviewed every two months and it is to be expected that the economic and corruption prosecutor's office will bring charges in the near future. The latest date for the next review is February 28. The pre-trial detention could then be extended by a further two months.
Benko was arrested in Innsbruck on suspicion of conspiracy and risk of committing a crime. The Signa founder is said to have "falsified an invoice and attempted to conceal assets and evade access by the authorities, trustees and creditors", according to the WKStA. It is investigating Benko together with German authorities after his former company empire collapsed in 2023.
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