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Saturday’s edition, December 5, 2020
Innsbruck (OTS) – The non-final ruling against Grasser refutes a prejudice that is often heard against the judiciary: nothing comes out anyway and in the end you let the big boys go. But is the verdict on political hygiene enough? One can have hope.
The fact that former Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser (ÖVP, ex FPÖ) spoke of a “impeachment” after the verdict was delivered can be explained from his point of view. Grasser assumed the role of victim from the beginning. It also fits if after the trial, as with the push of a button, the defense strategy is changed by 180 degrees. Just as a reminder: Grasser and his top attorneys first tried for years to avoid prosecution. When the trial began three years ago, it was Grasser’s lawyers who from the beginning tried to drag out the Second Republic’s largest corruption process. Well, you could step in, that’s part of a good lawyer’s job. Also the strategy of attacking the judge accusing her of bias? The accusations came out of his head, so Grasser’s attorney, Manfred Ainedter, and his client could no longer hold back as the trial continued when it came to praising Judge Marion Hohenecker’s highly objective and sovereign litigation. But as soon as she delivered her judgment, Ainedter and Grasser moved to accuse the judge of bias. It is true that, at first glance, the verdict against Grasser seems harsh. At first glance: But the 15-year punishment frame was not exhausted. Naturally, there was a lot of coverage on the cause. But building prejudice from this, as Ainedter tries to do, is bold. After all, it was Grasser who had always tried to glamorize audiences. Too beautiful, too successful, and then the brilliance of your surroundings.
The judge recognized the traps from the beginning, surrounded them all and wanted to save herself a reproach later. It is not a short process.
But what does the non-final sentence mean for the Republic, for Grasser and the co-defendants? It remains to be seen whether former ÖVP Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel Grasser will continue to see it as a stroke of luck. Perhaps this ruling can be expected to prevent politicians from becoming corruptible. But the phrase “And the greats let go” little by little is losing substance in this country. The fact that Grasser and Co. appeals, attacks the judiciary and its representatives, is part of the rule of law, which must be defended.
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Tyrolean newspaper
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chief editor@tt.com
