Austria: Kurz confidant wants to become a key witness
Status: 10/18/2022 2:47 p.m
Thomas Schmid is considered a central figure in the corruption affairs in Austria. He also became known through leaked chats with ex-Chancellor Kurz. In one of the investigations, Schmid now wants to obtain leniency.
Thomas Schmid, one of the major figures in the scandals that were triggered by the Ibiza video, wants to become a key witness in the process of processing the affair. Schmid approached the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) with this request in April, according to the investigative authority. According to the WKStA, Schmid has not yet made a formal application for leniency. Whether Schmid really becomes the main witness is an open question.
Silke Hahn
ARD Studio Vienna
Investigators from the public prosecutor’s office also announced today that they had comprehensively questioned Schmid for a total of 15 days since June. In order not to jeopardize the investigations, the interrogation protocols have not been made public so far. Now the other parties involved in the proceedings can see it. It is conceivable that this will soon make more details about the scandal available to the public.
45 accused in the process
Schmid plays an important role in the ÖVP corruption scandal that led to Sebastian Kurz’s resignation as Chancellor. Above all, the chat messages that Schmid exchanged with Kurz and others became known. The chats trigger several investigations.
Schmid is said to be specifically involved, among other things, in the advertisement affair: for example, in return for the publication of surveys in favor of the ÖVP and Kurz, tax-financed advertisements by Austrian ministries are said to have been placed in the newspaper “Österreich”.
The various strands of investigation after the Ibiza video were all summarized in the so-called CASAG (Casinos Austria AG) procedure. In this context, the WKStA is investigating around 45 suspects on suspicion of infidelity, false testimony, abuse of official authority, corruption, bribery and violation of official secrecy in various forms of participation.