Trial in Innsbruck

Trying to force marriage with ex’s sex video?

Because he allegedly blackmailed his ex, a Bosnian man (37) had to sit in front of a panel of lay judges led by Judge Andreas Fleckl in Innsbruck.(Bild: Markus Stegmayr, Krone KREATIV)

Unfulfilled love is the subject of countless dramas in books and films - but sometimes it is also the root of evil in court - as was demonstrated by a case in Innsbruck on Wednesday: alleged blackmail by his ex led a 37-year-old man to the dock.

The case actually goes back a long way. In 2012, the Bosnian man (37), who currently lives in France, had a long-distance relationship with a Tyrolean woman. After a few meetings, however, the relationship soon broke up - what remained were shared photos, jealousy and allegedly a video of the ex performing sexual acts.

Accused of serious blackmail
The man allegedly used this to blackmail the 35-year-old. According to the indictment, he wanted 5000 euros to finance his studies - and to force her to marry his ex.

I even deleted the video after the break-up.

Der Angeklagte vor Gericht

Video showed ex having solo sex
"It was completely different," said the defendant in front of the panel of lay judges led by Judge Andreas Fleckl. "The 5,000 euros is roughly the amount she spent on vacations, trips and meetings together," he explained. The video showing his ex having solo sex does exist. However, he had neither threatened to publish it nor put her under pressure in any other way. "After the break-up, I even deleted the video," the defendant stated on the record.

Change of heart in court
In court, the 35-year-old, who is now friends with the accused again, suddenly no longer knew anything about blackmail. The man was acquitted.