In the Ibiza investigation committee, the then former corruption prosecutor Christine Jilek caused a sensation with her description of “disruptive fires” against the economic and corruption prosecutor’s office. According to this, the WKStA is being harassed as a supervisory authority, especially by the now withdrawn head of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office, Johann Fuchs. Jilek complained about an excessive reporting obligation, because of which one was forced to write more than 100 reports, some of them “not necessary”. What a lot of capacities that would have been needed for the investigation cost.

Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) has now reacted. As their department confirmed on Monday, a senior public prosecutor in Innsbruck will in future be supervised by the WKStA proceedings in the Ibiza complex without instructions and reported directly to the ministry. The regulation therefore also applies to the investigations against former Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and nine other suspects in the VP advertisement affair.

The complete reorganization of the technical supervision should bring the installation of a federal prosecutor. A loud “courier” first draft provides as a prerequisite for the job training as a judge with practical experience. The Federal Public Prosecutor is to be appointed (for twelve years) by the Federal President at the suggestion of a committee of experts. The National Council is granted a right of control after the completion of procedures.

Leniency Notice

At the end of an assessment that has been repeatedly criticized as being too short, the leniency program has been extended by a further seven years. The previous regulation, which can save those involved in the crime by contributing to the investigation, expires at the turn of the year.

The President of the Graz Regional Court, Caroline List, made a critical comment on the draft. The fact that the status of a key witness can in future be applied for not only from the public prosecutor but also from the criminal police increases the “risk of official indiscretion,” said List.

The President of the Higher Regional Court of Vienna, Katharina Lehmayer, is different: The extension to the criminal investigation department makes it easier for the key witnesses to establish contact. The WKStA welcomes the extension of the leniency program, which has come into effect exactly 15 times since 2016.