Witness conjured up

Bang for the buck in fraud trial against EXW gang

40,000 victims and up to 100 million euros in damages: The monster trial against the Carinthian gang of snobs, who lived a life of luxury at the expense of crypto investors, is going beyond all dimensions. And there is further explosive material - because Judge Claudia Bandion-Ortner caused a sensation in her courtroom with an unexpected witness.

Eleven alleged EXW gang members have now been on trial for ten months. The proceedings at the Klagenfurt Regional Court have been dragging on rather blandly at times - until Wednesday. That's when Judge Claudia Bandion-Ortner suddenly pulled an internationally wanted suspect out of her hat as a surprise for her defendants and their lawyers.