The former Austrian real estate investor René Benko must remain in custody. The Vienna Regional Court decided to extend imprisonment by one month.
“The court continues to assume urgent suspicion, as well as the existence of the reasons for detention,” said the judicial authority. For scheduling reasons, the adhesive examination negotiation had been brought forward by a week. At the latest on February 28th, it was said again.
The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) suspects the 47-year-old, as part of his personal insolvency proceedings, hide assets to creditors and authorities. So far, Benko had not given any information about the allegations.
Investigations in three countries
There are several investigations against the ex-billionaire and founder of the Signa Group in Austria, Germany and Italy, among other things because of alleged fraud, infidelity and bankruptcy. His lawyer denied the allegations.
The extremely nested signa company construct had collapsed due to rising interest rates, energy prices and construction costs. The claims of the creditors amount to a total of 2.4 billion euros. However, the bankruptcy court has so far only recognized 47 million euros from this sum. (dpa)