Grasser in prison: corruption procedure for 9.6 million euros!
Grasser in prison: corruption procedure for 9.6 million euros!
Innsbruck, Österreich - On June 3, 2025, Karl-Heinz Grasser, the former finance minister of Austria, is again the focus of the reporting, since he appears before the committee of inquiry to Buwog-affair . The allegations regarding the sale of state real estate strain its reputation. Grasser, who was in office from 2000 to 2007, was guilty of a relevant corruption process and now has to serve a four -year prison sentence.
The BUWOG affair is a complex of unfaithfulness, illegal agreements and commission payments, triggered by the privatization of around 60,000 federal apartments. Grasser is said to have received 9.6 million euros in bribes in the course of the sale. A former employee even referred to the deal as a "broken game". According to the Green politician Gabriela Moser, the Republic of Austria caused damage of up to one billion euros. However, Grasser continues to assert his innocence and speaks of a misjudgment that was felled against him.
The way of investigations
The uncovering of the affair that had several times in the news, happened to be in September 2009 while investigating Constantia Privatbank. Unusual commission payments to consultants and lobbyists led to a chain reaction of self -ads and further investigations. Grasser himself had a vacation trip on the Seychelles in 2004, a fact that brought further mischief afterwards.
The punishments for Grasser and seven other accused were legally confirmed in March 2025 after the Supreme Court confirmed the debt and Grasser sentenced Grasser to four years in prison. The original judgments that had been provided for up to eight years in prison were reduced. However, the complex history of the affair extends far beyond the dishes and throws a dark light on the state institutions and their integrity.
consequences for society
The effects of corruption on Austrian society and its democracy are considerable. As part of a discussion in the Ministry of Justice in May 2022, Minister of Justice Alma Zadić asked the explosive question how the trust of the population asked can be maintained in the institutions. The prevention of corrupt action, as well as effective strategies against abuse of power were central issues of this exchange, which was accompanied by numerous experts from various areas.
The disgrace, the Grasser and the BUWOG affair have brought about Austrian politics, clearly shows how deeply the suspicion of the decision-makers sits. It remains to be seen in the light of the current legislative initiatives, which should enable earlier dismissal of convicts, which teachings are drawn from this dark story and whether social perception can change.
In the coming years it will be shown whether Grasser is trying to contest his judgment or whether he ultimately is looking for his way back to freedom. The history of the Buwog affair is far from being told.
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| Ort | Innsbruck, Österreich |
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