Priest Suspected of Drug Use: Trial in August in Lower Austria

Because he allegedly attempted to produce methamphetamine, a priest must answer at the Regional Court of Krems on August 14. Astrid Wagner, the defense attorney for the 38-year-old, confirmed a corresponding report by the daily newspaper "Heute" on Friday upon request. The accused clergyman is expected to plead "basically guilty," it was announced.

House Search in Lower Austria

The case became known in July of the previous year, when a house search ordered by the Krems public prosecutor's office took place in the affected parish house in the Waldviertel. Among other things, drug precursors and laboratory equipment were discovered and seized.

The 38-year-old was arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. However, the priest was released from this towards the end of the previous year. There were also consequences for the clergyman from the church side. The man was "immediately relieved of his duties in the Diocese of St. Pölten," and furthermore, "any pastoral activity in the diocese was prohibited for him," according to a statement from the Diocese of St. Pölten.

"Nothing Suitable Available"

To actually produce crystal meth, the priest "had nothing suitable available," emphasized the defense attorney. According to Wagner, the drug trial on August 14 is also directed against several other defendants. Among them is a 30-year-old Iraqi, who was considered a possible accomplice from the beginning.

(APA/Red)

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