Strache on Trial: Prosecutors Allege Ex-FPÖ Leader Tried to Divert Party Insurance Funds

In the event of Strache's death, his mother and children would have received the insurance sum; in the event of survival, the party was the beneficiary. According to the indictment, on 16 April 2014 Strache changed the beneficiary designation to himself by signing an agreement with the then financial officer of the FPÖ Vienna regional group.

The agreement stated that the Vienna FPÖ unilaterally, finally and irrevocably waived its entitlement and assigned it to Strache. The prosecutor stated: 'Die Vereinbarung wurde nicht im Wirtshaus, sondern in einer renommierten Rechtsanwaltskanzlei erstellt.'

The agreement was drafted in the law firm of Peter Fichtenbauer, a long-time FPÖ lawyer and former Volksanwalt. Strache signed the agreement both as regional party chairman and as beneficiary.

The prosecutor stated that Strache's role as regional party chairman was an honorary, unpaid position and that he provided no consideration in return. At the time of the alleged offense, Strache earned slightly less than 16,000 euros gross per month as a National Council member and FPÖ parliamentary group leader.

Financial Motives and a Lavish Lifestyle

The prosecutor asserted that Strache led a lavish lifestyle and had an increased need for money. Strache took a private loan of 100,000 euros from a party friend, which he repaid, and borrowed a larger sum from Harald Fischl, a former FPÖ and BZÖ politician and entrepreneur, secured by the FPÖ life insurance policy.

The agreement signed at Fichtenbauer's law firm ended up with Harald Fischl. The insurance company later unilaterally terminated the contract because it no longer wanted to insure politicians and political parties.

On 9 November 2022, 830,450.12 euros were refunded to the Vienna FPÖ regional group. The prosecutor stated: 'Das nennt man ein so genanntes In-sich-Geschäft. Hier wurde Parteivermögen verschleudert.'

The Sidlo Case Looms

If convicted, Strache faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. The FPÖ is participating in the trial as a private party against its former chairman. The presumption of innocence applies to both defendants.

The court has scheduled six trial days up to 2 July to determine Strache's guilt in this case. A second part of the trial concerning the Sidlo case will begin in autumn; no date has been set yet.

In the Sidlo case, Strache and two Novomatic executives are accused of accepting advantages to influence and granting advantages respectively. The case concerns the appointment of FPÖ-affiliated manager Peter Sidlo to the board of Casinos Austria AG, despite his alleged lack of qualifications.