The former FPÖ MP S. remains in custody. He is alleged to have helped the Wirecard board of directors to escape.
The Viennese public prosecutor's office is investigating the Wirecard scandal against the former FPÖ MP S. This is said to have helped the former Wirecard board member Jan Marsalek to escape. Because a fraud suit was recently brought against him, he must now remain in custody because of the risk of offense in this case. Former BVT department head W., who was also arrested last week, has meanwhile been released. That became known on Monday.
Both persons, for whom the presumption of innocence applies, will be investigated by the public prosecutor's office for favoritism. Both people are suspected of having helped Marsalek escape to Belarus. An offense that can result in up to two years in prison. Marsalek has been wanted in Germany since the collapse of the electronic payment service provider Wirecard.
W's release from liability was confirmed to the APA on Monday by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. Another former BVT employee is still being questioned at the moment. He is being investigated on suspicion of abuse of office and betrayal of state secrets. W. is said to have worked part-time for Wirecard to check the solvency of online porn services.
According to the Interior Ministry, there was no approved secondary employment. Not only for this reason, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) announced a “relentless investigation” in a broadcast: “We are resolute and, step by step, by clearing up this criminal case, create a clean restart for the protection of the Constitution,” said the Interior Minister was to “reorganize and reform the protection of the constitution.”
According to the Greens MP David Stögmüller, the question has not yet been fully clarified whether Marsalek worked unofficially or officially as an informant for the BVT. “This requires clear facts and also a clarification of which data from BVT was sent to Marsalek or Wirecard and when,” says Stögmüller
