Investigations Against Dornauer After Hunting Trip with Benko Dropped

The investigation was triggered by a photo from the hunting trip in autumn 2024 in Styria, showing the former deputy governor of Tyrol, Georg Dornauer (SPÖ), in front of a hunted game. Following the incident, Dornauer could no longer hold his political position in November last year and had to resign from his roles as deputy governor and Tyrolean SPÖ leader. He is currently a regular member of the state parliament.

Hunting Trip Case: Dornauer Exonerated by Professional Hunter

This assertion was apparently confirmed during the investigation. The hunting guest, a Tyrolean hotelier, who also appeared in the photo, stated "that he shot the deer and Dr. Dornauer was not the shooter," according to the public prosecutor's office in a statement. The same was confirmed by the professional hunter, who was "acting as a guide and recorded the hunting guest as the shooter of the game in the shooting report." Therefore, there was "insufficient evidence" that Dornauer used a weapon contrary to the weapons ban imposed on him. The Ministry of Justice had previously approved the closure. Incidentally, Benko himself was reportedly not part of the hunting party at the Stüblergut in Styria. The estate is said to belong to a foundation associated with the Tyrolean. Benko stated to the public prosecutor's office that he was "only present for the later photo, but not for the hunt." This was also "confirmed by the others," according to the prosecution.

Dornauer Considers Hunting Trip Case "Now Settled for Me"

Dornauer himself did not want to comment in detail on the case on Tuesday. "I do not comment on decisions of the public prosecutor's office for fundamental reasons. The case is now settled for me," he explained to the APA. Dornauer's lawyer, Johannes Zink, informed the APA that his client "cooperated with the investigative authorities from the beginning." "It was clearly demonstrated in the evidence proceedings that no crime was committed," Zink emphasized. A weapons ban had been imposed on Dornauer because in 2019 he left his hunting rifle with an attached magazine in the car with the window open at Innsbruck airport. Originally, he intended to apply for the lifting of the order after a five-year period last year - immediately before the hunting trip case became known. However, according to APA information, this has not yet been done. Should this happen, the chances of lifting the ban are now likely not bad.

After Hunting Trip Case: Dornauer Currently in Second Row

Meanwhile, Dornauer remained in a political waiting position or in the second row. In February, the 42-year-old, who led the SPÖ back into government in 2022 after almost ten years in opposition, lost a contested vote for the chairmanship of the powerful SPÖ district of Innsbruck-Land. However, since his withdrawal from the front row, Dornauer has consistently made it clear that he does not intend to withdraw completely from politics. He felt unjustly pilloried. The fact that he still belongs to the Tyrolean state parliament did not please the current state party leadership around Deputy Governor Philip Wohlgemuth. They initially urged him to give up his direct mandate in the foreseeable future, but recently seemed to have come to terms with Dornauer remaining. At the end of June, Wohlgemuth is to be elected as the new Tyrolean SPÖ leader at a party conference.

(APA/Red)

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