Short judges under scrutiny

ÖVP lacks transparency around disciplinary penalty

Richer Michael Radasztics(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

As reported, the judge in the false testimony trial against Sebastian Kurz in May 2023 was sentenced to a disciplinary penalty for betrayal of secrets (at that time still as a public prosecutor). This raises numerous questions about Judge Michael Radasztics, not only for the ex-chancellor's defense, but also for his party.

General Secretary Christian Stocker is now accusing Radasztics of not disclosing all the circumstances when it came to possible bias in the trial. In a press conference called at short notice, Stocker stated: "The trial against Sebastian Kurz began after the verdict in the disciplinary proceedings against the judge."

ÖVP Secretary General Christian Stocker(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Now, after the guilty verdict against Kurz, the final judgment in the disciplinary proceedings has been published. This has led to "irritations and doubts" that need to be cleared up or clarified in the course of the appeal hearing.

In purely legal terms, the presiding judge did not have to inform the public, but it would probably have been better in such sensitive proceedings, said Stocker, who did not want to criticize the judge's chairmanship.

On Tuesday evening, it became known that Radasztics had already been sentenced to a disciplinary penalty in May 2023. In the amount of 3760 euros, which corresponds to half a gross monthly salary. However, as both the prosecuting senior public prosecutor's office and Radasztics himself lodged appeals - and only withdrew them in December 2023 - the decision only became legally binding at the end of the year. At this point, the false statement trial against Sebastian Kurz had already been running for two months.

Richer Michael Radasztics(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)