2024-02-27 23:23:53
Michael Radasztics, judge in the false testimony trial once morest ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) and former public prosecutor in the Eurofighter case, was sentenced to a disciplinary penalty in May 2023.
As the “Kurier” reported yesterday, the decision of the responsible disciplinary court, the Higher Regional Court (OLG) Graz, was only published in the legal information system (RIS) on Monday, three days following the verdict once morest Kurz.
ORF/Roland WInkler
Radasztics confirmed the case to the “Kurier” and explained the timing of the publication by saying that the decision was made in May, but the public prosecutor’s office as the prosecutor and he himself as the accused subsequently filed an appeal. The case went to the Supreme Court, but then both sides withdrew their appeals. That’s why the decision only became final in December. He paid his fine this year, said Radasztics.
Duties “culpably violated”
The former public prosecutor, who has only been a judge since January 1, 2023, was sentenced to a fine of half a month’s salary, according to “Kurier”. According to the Graz Higher Regional Court, in the Eurofighter case, Radasztics “culpably violated” his duties by first breaking off the investigation and then failing to notify the accused, the former Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser (FPÖ/independent), in 2012 that criminal proceedings are underway once morest him.
The Eurofighter case is regarding the allegation that Radasztics allegedly gave ex-Green MP Peter Pilz information from investigation files in 2018. Specifically, it concerned an instruction from the Ministry of Defense stating that files had to be returned to the department for reasons of national security. Criminal investigations into abuse of office and violation of official secrecy were dropped at the time.
Kurz’s lawyer wanted a change of judge
The topic came up on the first day of the trial once morest ex-Chancellor Kurz last October. Kurz’s defense attorney Otto Dietrich requested a change of judge for reasons of bias. The reason: Radasztics is friends with Pilz and Pilz is an opponent of Kurz.
The judge rejected the application and countered: “I have neither a friendly nor a trusting relationship with Dr. Pilz.” In the Eurofighter case, Pilz was questioned as a witness, nothing more happened, according to the judge.
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