Austria
Corruption allegations around ex-Chancellor Kurz – apparently pollster arrested
Austria’s former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who resigned after allegations of corruption
© GEORG HOCHMUTH // Picture Alliance
According to media reports, a pollster who is said to have played a role in the corruption affair surrounding Austria’s ex-Chancellor Kurz has been arrested. The reason for the arrest is said to be a risk of blackout.
According to media reports, an opinion researcher was arrested in Austria in the corruption scandal surrounding the conservative ÖVP. A corresponding report by the newspaper “Der Standard” was confirmed to the Austrian news agency APA by lawyers and government circles.
The public prosecutor suspects the pollster to have played a central role in the creation of embellished surveys for the benefit of the ÖVP, which were then placed in the media. Tax money is said to have been embezzled for this. The reason for the arrest is said to be a risk of blackout. According to the newspaper, the accused erased her computer’s hard drive shortly before a house search on October 6th.
Investigations against Austria’s ex-Chancellor Kurz
The Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) did not confirm the process. She stated that she was not allowed to answer inquiries about specific investigative measures in ongoing investigative proceedings. The suspect’s lawyer was initially unavailable.
The public prosecutor’s office is investigating ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and nine other suspects for possible breach of trust, bribery and corruption. Kurz’s team is said to have organized the 35-year-old’s ascent in the party and government through collaboration with a media company and used tax money for it. Kurz and the media house vehemently deny the allegations.