Verdict Nears: Closing Arguments in Strache Trial Underway

The final day of the trial for former Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and FPÖ official Johann Herzog is underway at the Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters. Presiding judge Christian Böhm is expected to deliver a verdict in the embezzlement case concerning a life insurance policy.

“

I was too naive and too trusting.

Strache and Herzog, who maintain their innocence, are accused of improperly altering an insurance policy originally taken out for FPÖ official Hilmar Kabas. Strache, who succeeded Kabas as party leader in 2004, was to become the beneficiary of the policy, valued at over 946,000 euros, after a ten-year waiting period. The prosecution alleges this constituted an "in-house deal" as Strache signed the agreement both as the new beneficiary and as the representative of the party, the original beneficiary.

“

He wanted to liquidate me at Viktor-Adler-Markt.

During the proceedings, Strache testified that the party's desire to secure its leaders was legitimate. He argued that he had invested heavily in the party's success and faced significant threats, including assassination plots, which made him feel he was living in an "exceptional situation." This perceived danger, he claimed, allowed him to act more freely, knowing his family would be provided for in the event of his death. He also stated that the 2014 amendment, which made him a beneficiary even in case of survival, was also correct.

“

There was an 86-page car bomb file directed against my life.

However, the court has heard conflicting accounts and noted several memory lapses from witnesses in recent days. Herzog's testimony also reportedly implicated Strache. The case revolves around a life and pension insurance policy of FPÖ Vienna, initially established for Hilmar Kabas in February 2001.

“

I was permanently in an exceptional situation.