Exoneration Request Denied: René Benko Must Remain in Custody
René Benko remains in his cell at the Vienna-Josefstadt Correctional Facility (JA) for the time being, which he occupied on the evening of January 23 after his arrest in Innsbruck and subsequent transfer to the federal capital.
Vienna Regional Court rejected release application
A release application by his defense attorney Norbert Wess was not granted by the Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters on Monday. There is still an assumption of urgent suspicion and the presence of grounds for detention.
As court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn announced, the next detention review hearing will take place ex officio by June 10 at the latest. An appeal against the decision to extend pre-trial detention can be filed with the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) within three days. The defense initially made no statement.
Benko allegedly deceived investors and harmed creditors
Benko was arrested in Innsbruck in January and subsequently transferred to the Vienna-Josefstadt Correctional Facility (JA). Since then, he has been in a single cell, with pre-trial detention already extended at the end of February.
The allegations by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA), which is conducting extensive investigations against Benko, are serious. He is alleged to have deceived investors and harmed creditors. The WKStA assumes, among other things, breach of trust and fraudulent bankruptcy - the penal code provides for up to ten years imprisonment for this. According to the existing suspicion, Benko is said to have attempted to shift or conceal remaining assets despite ongoing insolvency proceedings, which also affect him as a private individual. The WKStA assumes that he continued to act as the "de facto power holder and economic beneficiary" of the Laura Private Foundation.
First indictment against Benko apparently imminent
According to a report by the business magazine "trend," a first indictment against Benko is likely to be filed soon, although this has not been confirmed by the prosecutor's office. The investigations are in full swing, according to the WKStA. The possible first indictment is said to concern the "money carousel" that Benko allegedly set in motion during the capital increase of his Signa Holding in 2023 - which Benko denies. The prosecutor's office apparently relies on phone surveillance and observations of Benko as well as witness statements from former business partners.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.