No guilty verdicts

More than 1100 false car stickers issued

(Bild: Constantin Handl, Krone KREATIV)

Over 1100 stickers are said to have been issued in the name of two mechanics when they were not even in the workshop. Their boss is said to have ordered this. The trio had to answer to the Linz Regional Court on Monday. What came to light in the evidentiary proceedings had little in common with the indictment.

A 33-year-old Austrian and a 37-year-old Georgian were employed in the Leonding workshop of an Austrian of Afghan origin (31). They were authorized to carry out state car inspections in accordance with Section 57a - the classic sticker. 

More stickers than possible
A mechanic needs 45 to 60 minutes for an inspection, which severely limits the number of daily inspections. According to the public prosecutor, however, far too many assessments appeared in the database - and at times when neither of them had been present. 

Leaving data
The accusation is therefore abuse of office, namely that the two licensed inspectors had given their access data to their colleagues so that they could issue stickers in their name. The second accused boss, defended by lawyer Philipp Wohlmacher, is alleged to have commissioned this misuse of authority as the designated perpetrator. Around 500 stickers were falsely issued in the name of the Austrian, and around 600 in the name of the Georgian.

Three acquittals
None of the three vehicle technicians pleaded guilty. Which ultimately turned out to be the only correct responsibility: After less than two hours, in fact, all three defendants were acquitted. None of the three could be proven to have acted improperly.

Damage caused by the indictment
But the damage had already been done: "I was also employed in three other workshops. I left there myself, because of the accusation I was dismissed everywhere else," says the Georgian, who is the father of four children. 

Calls from relatives
The Austrian, who had been defended by the Linz criminal defense lawyer Manfred Arthofer, had also resigned. But he also received calls from distant relatives who asked him indignantly what he had been up to. Now that his innocence has been established by the court, he will open his own workshop in Engerwitzdorf.

Another trial is pending
It is still unclear where the far too many pickers under false names actually come from. But a trial on Thursday could shed light on the matter: An Iraqi, who was heard as a witness on Monday, will then stand before the judge himself for failing to prevent an act punishable by law.