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In the course of the investigation into the Causa Casinos there are indications of attempts at political influence. However, what this is was discussed in a public session not related to the media. The WKStA director had previously defended her authority.
According to Vrabl-Sanda’s statement in the U-Committee, the references to political influence are still “a very young process.” Therefore, it was not yet possible to take any precautions, so consultations with the Ministry of Justice will still be held. The secret interrogation of the WKStA director lasted about an hour. He had previously reported in detail that the Ibiza investigation was “politically impregnated”.
In his opening statement, Vrabl-Sanda had verbally defended the work of his investigators. The WKStA is subject to “the strictest control that exists in the Public Ministry system,” he referred to the project reports required in public interest processes. He tried to dispel misunderstandings: “The prosecution does not win when a suspect is charged, nor does it lose if the case is closed.”
Unsurprisingly, Vrabl-Sanda was either unable or not allowed to say anything about specific findings in the cases discussed in the investigative committee. Just this: the research is already well advanced in some respects. However, there are also “some imponderables that come from abroad.” There have been several complaints from the supervisory authority. A disciplinary measure was also imposed on them, which in the meantime has been removed from the file.
The fact that there are connections between the former head of the FPÖ and Vice Chancellor Heinz Christian Strache and a Soko Tape employee only “came up later” in Vrabl-Sanda, he reported. The WKStA reported on this to the higher authority. The employee no longer worked at Soko. There were several discussions on the WKStA report. The head of the Public Ministry (OStA) and the then Minister of Justice, Clemens Jabloner, would not have recognized any appearance of bias in a candidacy for city council.
The WKStA boss herself did not see the infamous Ibiza video, as she put it. “Of course”, however, representatives of his authority saw the video.
After Vrabl-Sanda, an official from the Ministry of Finance and the authorized signatory of Casinos Austria, Peter Erlacher, were invited on Thursday. His questioning should begin around 3:30 pm It was unclear if the interview with the last respondent would work due to the lead time.
