Colleague as victim

Ski instructor (21) denies rape allegation

Salzburg courthouse, seat of the regional court(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

A Dutch ski instructor (21) is alleged to have sexually abused a female colleague at the turn of the year. While she clearly speaks of violence, he denies the allegations and says: "It was consensual".

The accused traveled from the Netherlands with family members to face the accusation of rape at the Salzburg Regional Court on Thursday. According to the public prosecutor, he allegedly forced a female colleague to have sex outside at around 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve 2024. "Despite resistance", the prosecutor emphasized. He is also alleged to have kissed another female colleague against her will on another day - the charge here is coercion.

Statement against statement
The 21-year-old denies both. At the time of the crime, he was working as a ski instructor in Maria Alm. The turn of the year was celebrated with plenty of alcohol. Already in the evening hours, the 21-year-old and the later victim are said to have had their first caresses and kisses. When they went to get beer late at night, it is said to have happened in front of a barn door: "I asked if she wanted sex. She clearly said yes", the 21-year-old justifies himself. The victim - represented by lawyer Sabina Moser - clearly speaks of violence.

As a witness did not appear, the trial was adjourned to January 14.