Pilnacek Inquiry: FPÖ to Reveal 'Sensitive Document'

The Austrian parliamentary committee investigating the death of former justice official Christian Pilnacek is becoming increasingly politicized. The far-right FPÖ party is pushing to have key political figures, including current Chancellor Christian Stocker and former Chancellor Karl Nehammer, both from the ÖVP, appear as witnesses in the autumn.

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Pilnacek investigation committee: Sensitive document has surfaced.

FPÖ Secretary-General Christian Hafenecker announced a press conference to discuss a "sensitive document" that has surfaced. The party also aims to summon Justice Minister Anna Sporrer, her predecessor Alma Zadić, the Director of the Federal Criminal Police Office Andreas Holzer, another prosecutor, and a journalist. The FPÖ justifies these requests by stating the individuals have "numerous observations regarding the subject of the investigation" or are "explicitly named persons within the investigation."

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After months of fruitless questioning and without a single piece of evidence for political influence, the Freedom Party is now apparently trying to generate media attention again with prominent summonses.

This move marks the first time active or former politicians will be questioned in the inquiry. The committee's purpose is to shed light on potential political interference in the actions of investigative authorities following Pilnacek's death. The ÖVP, however, has criticized the FPÖ's strategy, with party leader Andreas Hanger stating that after months of fruitless questioning, the FPÖ is now attempting to generate media attention with prominent summonses. He accused them of turning the committee into a stage for partisan show politics at the expense of taxpayers.

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The committee is thus finally becoming a stage for partisan show politics at the expense of taxpayers.

NEOS party member Sophie Wotschke expressed surprise at the absence of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz from the witness list, noting that Pilnacek had spoken with Kurz shortly before his death and had legally advised him. Wotschke suggested that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl prioritizes his own public image and relationship with Kurz over investigating potential political interventions.

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Christian Pilnacek demonstrably spoke with him shortly before his death, at the same time it is known that Pilnacek legally advised Kurz.