Signa Bankruptcy: House Searches in Tyrol Due to Additional Suspects
The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) cited the "expansion of the investigation to another suspect" for fraudulent bankruptcy as the reason. She is said to have helped Benko "conceal valuables" and thereby "remove them from the reach of insolvency administrators and creditors."
Signa: Another Suspect
Thus, the suspect "contributed to the possible crime of fraudulent bankruptcy," it was stated in a press release. However, the WKStA did not name the suspect. It was also not disclosed where the house searches took place. However, one search is said to have occurred in Innsbruck and another outside the state capital. According to a report by the daily newspaper "Der Standard" (Friday edition), there had already been a house search in Benko's family environment, where a safe with valuables and cash was stored. According to the newspaper report, René Benko, who is in pre-trial detention in Vienna, stated in an interrogation that he only learned about the safe later and was not informed about the details. The "profil" had already reported on Tuesday about the safe and Benko's interrogation regarding it.
Suspicion Arose During House Searches in January
The suspicion that Benko might have concealed assets arose during house searches in January 2025 on the day of Benko's arrest, the WKStA investigators reported. During this, "cash as well as valuables such as high-priced watches and cufflinks were found and secured." In total, it involved assets worth over 300,000 euros. Just on Wednesday, officers moved in to search several locations in connection with the Signa bankruptcy in Vienna and Tyrol. The triggers were requests for legal assistance and European investigation orders from the Munich I Public Prosecutor's Office and the Italian Procura della Repubblica di Trento - Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia (DDA). The investigators scrutinized Signa offices in Vienna and Innsbruck. The Benko villa in the Innsbruck district of Igls was also examined once more.
Benko in Pre-Trial Detention Since January
House searches also took place during Benko's arrest in January. Benko has been in pre-trial detention at the Vienna-Josefstadt prison since then, and on Tuesday, the pre-trial detention was extended by another two months. The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office accuses Benko of deceiving investors and harming creditors. The authority assumes, among other things, breach of trust and fraudulent bankruptcy - the penal code provides for up to ten years in prison for this. According to the existing suspicion, Benko is said to have attempted to shift or conceal remaining assets despite ongoing insolvency proceedings of his real estate group Signa, 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.
(APA/Red)
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