Cause Pilnacek: OStA Vienna Transfers Proceedings from Public Prosecutor's Office Krems to Public Prosecutor's Office Eisenstadt

The decision to transfer the case from the Krems Public Prosecutor's Office to the Eisenstadt Public Prosecutor's Office was made "to ensure confidence in the complete impartiality and neutrality in conducting the investigation proceedings."

Pilnacek Case: OStA Vienna Responds to Mere Appearance of Bias

The case was also handed over to the Eisenstadt Public Prosecutor's Office because it is detached from the Lower Austrian police apparatus, a spokesperson for the OStA told APA. After all, there had also been allegations against two police officers in the past. However, by transferring the case, it is not being said that the Krems Public Prosecutor's Office is biased. As a superior authority, the OStA can delegate cases if there is merely an appearance of bias. This had emerged and intensified in the discussion. The Freedom Party welcomed what they saw as a "long overdue step." With the original assignment to the Krems Public Prosecutor's Office, they had "put the fox in charge of the henhouse," criticized Secretary General Christian Hafenecker once again, expressing his conviction that the FPÖ's announcement to set up a parliamentary committee of inquiry into this case had "brought movement into the matter."

Pilnacek Found Dead in October 2023

The body of the former head of department was found near Krems on October 20, 2023. The investigations were conducted by the Lower Austrian State Criminal Police Office. The Krems Public Prosecutor's Office ruled out foul play based on an expert opinion. Doubts about this were expressed by former National Council member Peter Pilz. Pilz supported his harsh criticism of the investigations with two forensic reports he commissioned, which were based on the autopsy report from the Krems Public Prosecutor's Office's investigations. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Vienna subsequently ordered the Krems Public Prosecutor's Office to examine the continuation of the investigations into the death of the former head of department. The Freedom Party wants to scrutinize the case within the framework of a parliamentary committee of inquiry.

(APA/Red)

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