Austrian Chancellor suspected of making false statements on "Ibiza-gate"

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The Austrian Prosecutor's Office for Economic and Corruption Crimes is investigating the Chancellor of the Republic Sebastian Kurz, the head of the Austrian government himself said.

The Chancellor is suspected of giving false testimony to the investigation commission "Ibiza" at the Austrian Prosecutor's Office. The commission, since the end of May 2019, has been trying to identify the authors and customers of the scandalous video featuring former Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, the publication of which caused a political scandal in the republic and led to the collapse of the government.

As reported by RIA Novosti, the chancellor assumes that the prosecutors will charge him, and he "with great pleasure" will participate in the questioning in the trial, which, according to him, will be led by a judge. The prosecutor's office is also investigating Kurtz's cabinet chief, his "right-hand man," Bernhard Bonelli.

In mid-May 2019, major German media published a scandalous video of the former vice chancellor and former leader of the Austrian Freedom Party, Heinz-Christian Strache. The publications claimed that in the video, made on the island of Ibiza, the Austrian politician allegedly discussed the possibility of buying media assets to influence the 2017 elections with a certain "Russian woman," who, according to media reports, was, in fact, a Bosnian student who received a fee for her role from the scandalous Irena Markovic. The publication quickly led to an internal political crisis in Austria: Strache's resignation was followed by the resignation of the entire government of the country, led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who soon became chancellor again following early parliamentary elections.

In December 2019, the Austrian Freedom Party expelled Strache from its ranks. Shortly thereafter, the former leader and his supporters from the APS organized a new party, the Alliance for Austria.

"I have always tried my best to remember and give reliable data on issues from many years ago, on topics and areas that I have never been in charge of in government and have only partially received information about. In my opinion, I have always made efforts to answer the commission, and I have done my best," Kurtz told journalists at a press conference, adding that he sees no reason to resign and will remain in office.

According to RIA, the chancellor assumes that the prosecutor's office will indict him and he will be "delighted" to participate in the questioning as part of the trial, which he said will be conducted by a single judge.

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