Vösendorf's ex-mayor Hannes Koza (ÖVP) was sentenced to nine months of suspended imprisonment on Thursday in Wiener Neustadt for faking an attack on himself last December. He pleaded guilty in court. His conviction for feigning a punishable act and giving false testimony is final.

Koza Claimed Attack

Koza claimed that an unknown person attacked him on the evening of December 10, 2024, on his way home from the municipal office in the Vösendorf castle park. He told the police that a man masked with a scarf suddenly punched him in the face. The unknown person allegedly insulted him and shouted that he would not survive the municipal council meeting the next day. Koza reported that he was hit and injured near his right eye and fell to the ground. He had published photos of his facial injuries himself. As a result, the municipal council meeting took place under special police surveillance.

Resignation as Mayor

In the criminal proceedings, Koza was initially treated as a victim and then as a suspect. On February 20, he announced his resignation. He admitted that he wanted to put himself "in a victim role" and gain sympathy. He inflicted the injuries on himself by lying down in the castle park and hitting his head on the ground. This is also seen in a video, which ultimately was the reason Koza became a suspect and admitted to inventing the attack.

Koza: "Impulsive Act"

It was a "rash action" intended to stop the personal attacks and charges he faced over the past year, particularly from the opposition. "I just wanted to work in peace for Vösendorf," said Koza, who repeatedly emphasized in court that he was convinced he had achieved "incredible" things for the market town.

On December 10, he was sitting in the office drinking wine. "Then, unfortunately, the not very glorious idea came to me about what I could do to make it stop, so that I could finally get some sympathy," the former municipal leader recounted. He could no longer cope with the stress situation and regretted not seeking professional help at the time. However, he has since done so.

"I Have Destroyed My Life's Work"

He did not accuse anyone in front of the police. "I didn't harm anyone else, only myself. I have destroyed my life's work, and I believe that is punishment enough for me," he pleaded for a lenient sentence. However, from the judge's perspective, a diversion was not possible. After all, the public prosecutor's office had already investigated the ÖVP politician in 2024 because he had manipulated a private lawyer's bill to have the costs reimbursed by the municipality. At that time, he already received a diversion and repaid the amount.

After Vösendorf's People's Party achieved an absolute majority in an early election in May 2024, the signs are now pointing to new elections. Representatives of the SPÖ, FPÖ, Greens, and the V2000 list have resigned their mandates, and the respective substitute members have declined to succeed them. Together, the opposition holds 16 out of 33 parliamentary seats.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.