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🇦🇹 Austria /Crime & Justice

Luxury Watch Case: Benko's Conviction and Wife's Acquittal Should Stand, Attorney General Advises

From Der Standard · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • The Attorney General's Office recommends the Supreme Court uphold a lower court's verdict in a case involving luxury watches allegedly hidden in a safe.
  • René Benko was previously convicted twice in absentia for fraud related to hiding valuable items from creditors.
  • His wife, accused of aiding and abetting, was acquitted, and Benko himself was acquitted of charges related to other watches and cash.

The Attorney General's Office has advised the Supreme Court to uphold a lower court's verdict concerning René Benko and the case of allegedly hidden luxury watches. Benko has faced two previous convictions in absentia, both currently under review by the Supreme Court.

Benko recently received further unfavorable news from the Attorney General's Office, the highest prosecutorial authority advising the Supreme Court. The office reviewed a case where Benko was sentenced on December 10, 2025, to 15 months' suspended imprisonment and an unconditional fine of 360 daily rates of twelve euros for fraudulent bankruptcy. The non-finalized ruling from the Innsbruck Criminal Court stated that he had allegedly hidden two valuable watches and four pairs of cufflinks from his creditors, thereby causing them damage.

Benko's wife, who faced charges of aiding and abetting, was acquitted. René Benko was also acquitted in connection with other watches and 120,000 euros in cash.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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