The public prosecutor’s office in Trento sees Rene Benko as a central figure in illegal activities: Thanks to his economic power, Benko is one of the sponsors of the criminal association based in Italy and closely linked to Heinz Peter Hager, according to the authority .
Benko gave hager tips on how to get permits for construction projects. A journalist from Bolzano who had close contact with Hager was also arrested,the authorities reported.
Arrest warrants are not enforced in Austria
The arrest warrant issued by the Trent public prosecutor’s office against Rene Benko will not be executed in Austria,said Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office spokesman Hansjörg Mayr. There is no need to execute a European arrest warrant if it concerns an Austrian citizen whose corresponding proceedings can also be carried out at home, explained Mayr.
benko has now been questioned by the tyrone State Criminal Police Office and the 47-year-old remains at large. There are no special requirements for the investor.
100 searches in Italy
A total of 100 searches were carried out on Tuesday in Italy for other people under investigation. The target was companies and public institutions in the provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Brescia, Milan, pavia, Rome and Verona and abroad.
The measure, taken by the District Court of Trento at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, is said to be the result of a complex investigation carried out by the Italian police and the tax police.
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Benko’s lawyer Norbert Wess points to Benko’s cooperation with the authorities
“No European arrest warrant will be executed against Mr Benko. Mr. Benko – as before – will continue to cooperate fully with all national and international authorities and is confident that any allegations against him can be clarified as wrong,” Benko’s lawyer Norbert Wess said in a statement.
Accused of various crimes
According to the Trent public prosecutor’s office, the charges against the individuals include the establishment of a criminal organization, bid rigging, illegal party financing, undue influence and fraud.
the public administration, including corruption, improper inducement to act, disclosure of official secrets and omissions of official acts, as well as violations of tax law regulations that relating to the issue of. invoices for things not actually done people are blamed on businesses.
77 people affected by investigations
As part of an extensive investigation by the Trent public prosecutor’s office into various real estate projects in northern Italy, investigations are also underway in South Tyrol. The investigations relate to projects between 2018 and 2022.
The investigation affects 77 people, including eleven public administration officers, 20 managers and officers from local authorities and investment companies, members of the police, independent workers and several entrepreneurs from South Tyrone.
Arrest warrants were issued against nine people
In total, the Trent public prosecutor’s office issued arrest warrants against nine people. Along with Benko and the tax consultant Hager,there is an entrepreneur from the city of Rovereto,the former mayor of Dro and Senator Vittorio Fravezzi,the mayor of Riva del garda,Cristina Santi,and also two architects,a journalist and an official working in the city’s planning office city administration of Bolzano
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Heinz Peter Hager
Some of the people under investigation had influence and control over public administration decisions, especially in the area of construction speculation in Trentino-South Tyrol. The entrepreneurs in question are said to have made themselves available to finance local government election campaigns and then to obtain concessions, simplified procedures and concessions for their real estate projects.
As the legal representative of several companies, Hager is involved in these investigations. he is the President of WaltherPark AG. He has been a partner at Benko for over ten years. The business consultant has been involved in many real estate projects over the years. He achieved great fame through the “Waltherpark” project in bolzano. “Heinz Peter Hager fully cooperated with the investigators and showed great confidence in the judges,” said the press office of the renowned auditor based in Bolzano.
Investigations began in 2019 following accessto the IT system
The investigation began in 2019 after unauthorized access to the IT system of an employee of the city administration of Bolzano. According to investigators, the entrepreneurs involved offered gifts, favors and money to officials and those working in public administration to obtain public contracts. Tablets, personal computers and smartphones were seized during the searches in the town hall of Bolzano.
How does the inquiry into Rene Benko’s case reflect larger issues of corruption in Europe?
Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Legal Expert on the Rene Benko Case
Editor: Welcome to the Time.news interview series. Today, we are joined by Dr. Elena rossi, a legal expert specializing in white-collar crime and international law. We’ll be discussing the recent developments surrounding Austrian businessman Rene Benko, who is currently embroiled in serious allegations in Italy. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rossi.
Dr. rossi: Thank you for having me!
Editor: To start, could you outline the key allegations against Rene Benko as presented by the Trento public prosecutor’s office?
Dr. Rossi: Certainly. The allegations against Benko are quite serious and include his involvement in establishing a criminal organization linked to various illegal activities. Specifically,he is accused of facilitating bid rigging,illegal party financing,and undue influence. Additionally,there are claims of corruption and various tax law violations,which are symptomatic of deep-rooted issues in public administration.
Editor: It appears there’s a complex web of relationships here, particularly with Heinz peter Hager. How critical is Hager’s role in this case?
Dr.Rossi: Hager’s role seems to be central, as he is reportedly connected to the criminal organization. The prosecutor’s office alleges that Benko provided Hager with crucial advice to circumvent legal requirements for construction permits. This shows how intertwined personal and business interests can lead to extensive corruption – highlighting a serious risk in regulatory frameworks.
Editor: Following the arrest warrants issued against him, it’s captivating to see that Austria is not enforcing these warrants.can you explain why that is?
Dr.Rossi: Yes, this is a key aspect of the case. Under European law, while arrest warrants issued by one EU member state are generally valid across the EU, austria maintains that domestic proceedings can address the accusations. Thus, they believe there’s no necessity to execute the European arrest warrant against benko. It raises questions about jurisdiction and the limits of cooperation within the EU judicial framework.
Editor: With 100 searches recently conducted across various Italian provinces, can you comment on the scale of this investigation?
Dr. Rossi: The scale is indeed substantial, indicating a thorough and well-coordinated effort by Italian authorities. These searches suggest that officials are looking to uncover evidence that transcends Benko and Hager, possibly implicating additional individuals and organizations in widespread misconduct.It reflects the authorities’ commitment to tackling corruption at all levels.
Editor: benko’s lawyer, Norbert Wess, claims his client is cooperating fully. What does this cooperation entail and how might it affect the investigation?
dr. Rossi: Cooperation can take many forms. It could mean providing documents, attending interviews, or even divulging facts about others involved. If Benko is genuine in his cooperation, this may serve to mitigate some of the allegations against him. Though,it’s crucial to remember that the efficacy of such cooperation frequently enough depends on the quality of the information provided and how it fits into the overarching investigation.
Editor: as we wrap up, what are the potential legal implications for Benko if these allegations are proven true, both in Italy and Austria?
Dr. Rossi: Should the allegations be substantiated, Benko could face significant penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment under both Italian and Austrian law. Additionally, his business operations could be severely affected, with potential repercussions including loss of reputation and business licenses, and difficulties in securing future investments. The overarching implications may also resonate with broader discussions about corporate governance and accountability in Europe.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insights into this complex and troubling case. We appreciate your expertise on this crucial issue.
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial for the public to stay informed on matters of corruption and legal accountability, especially in such convoluted cases.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on current affairs and legal matters.