Instead of pretrial detention
Guess who would let Benko stay in their apartment
For months, René Benko's lawyers have been referring to a mysterious "fatherly friend" who could help the billionaire bankrupt out of his pretrial detention predicament: with a downtown apartment and by covering his living expenses. The "Krone" knows the background.
On the day before Christmas, Benko's lawyers put all their eggs in one basket once again. The tenor: Eleven months of pre-trial detention are enough, especially since Austria's most famous bankrupt can provide proof of accommodation. From his parents in Innsbruck, who could spare a guest room. Or from Benko's "fatherly friend," who would not only provide the fallen Signa founder with an apartment in downtown Vienna, but also cover his living expenses. For months, the "fatherly friend" has been brought up before the detention judge – but the name was not included in the official court records because Benko's defense attorneys vehemently opposed it.
"I have a responsibility"
This was another reason why sparks flew between the representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) and Benko's lawyer on December 23, 2025. According to the minutes, the senior public prosecutor insisted on disclosure of the "available living situation in Vienna":
"Could you note down who this is from this time?"
Benko's defense attorney: "Ms. Prosecutor, I am now presenting this as I see fit and as I have assured this third party. I also have a disciplinary responsibility towards this person if I have the assignment as I do."
The judge's response: "I assume that this is the father's friend, as before. I assume that this affidavit has been updated?"
Benko's defense attorney: "Yes, that is correct." As Benko's attorney, he had only yesterday "expressly reassured himself" that "these statements are still current" and that commitments had been made. "Regarding the living situation in Vienna," he had "assured this person that I would not name them due to the media coverage of the proceedings. I continue to ask for your understanding in this matter. It is, of course, up to the court to draw its own conclusions from this."
"Request to name names"
The prosecutor then goes on to state, among other things: "It would be important to note who made this promise of accommodation by name. I request that the name be named or that this promise of accommodation be presented, so that it can be seen who is providing René Benko with accommodation in Vienna."
I request that the name be disclosed or that this confirmation be presented, showing who is providing René Benko with accommodation in Vienna.
Oberstaatsanwältin der WKStA
Benko's lawyer responded: "I refuse to disclose the name, as I have been asked to do so, and therefore I will not do so. I also don't know how you can verify a flight risk based on one person. That is really outside the legal framework in which we operate." Benko could also be required to report to the authorities daily from this address.
According to research by "Krone," Benko's "fatherly friend" is Siegfried Wolf.
"I have never participated in smear campaigns"
When asked about this and why he is not being transparent about the issue, the 68-year-old entrepreneur explains: "I have never participated in media smear campaigns. I will not do so in the case of René Benko either. Incidentally, your inquiry concerns Mr. Benko's highly personal life and – should you actually report on it – my person as well." In the event of reporting, he therefore feels compelled to "take immediate legal action."
The industrialist Wolf, who worked for many years in the empire of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, is considered a close confidant of René Benko. Wolf and Benko were part of an elite hunting group that regularly traveled to Hungary, Czechia, or the Romanian Carpathians. They traveled in style in a private jet and sometimes covered the last few meters by helicopter in order to get wild animals such as bears in their sights.
"My friend sleeps well..."
At the 2024 Hunters' Ball, shortly after the collapse of the Signa Group, billionaire industrialist Wolf gave his friend a kind of absolution in an ATV interview: Benko had "done nothing wrong." The media was to blame: "We've seen it many times before, the press passes judgment and the judge carries it out." And: "My friend sleeps well because my friend did nothing wrong."
Since January 23, 2025, René Benko has been sleeping behind bars.
This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.
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