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Austrian Supreme Court Reduces Sentence for Former Finance Minister Grasser

VIENNA (Reuters) – Austria’s Supreme Court has handed down a four-year prison sentence to former Finance Minister Karl-Heinz Grasser following the dismissal of his appeal contesting a 2020 corruption conviction.

The court affirmed the corruption allegations against Grasser, however, they reduced the initial sentence of eight years significantly, reflecting a shift in the judicial understanding of the case.

In 2020, Grasser had been found guilty on multiple counts, including fraud and the unauthorized acceptance of gifts, alongside tampering with evidence related to a major scandal involving the privatization of numerous state-owned residential properties. Grasser has consistently maintained his innocence regarding these charges.

It is important to note that the earlier verdict was not finalized pending the outcome of the appeal process.

At 56, Grasser served as the finance minister from 2000 to 2007 and was regarded as a prominent figure within Austria’s political right. His personal life includes marriage to a member of the well-known Swarovski family, further emphasizing his prominent status in both political and social spheres.

Source
www.yahoo.com