Steinacker: Once again, the presumption of innocence was not taken seriously

2023-08-24 15:26:20

ÖVP justice spokeswoman: acquittal for head of the public prosecutor’s office in Vienna Fuchs confirmed in appeal hearing – media prejudices must come to an end

Vienna (OTS) – “We should really think about how some people in our republic deal with the right to the presumption of innocence. In the case of Johann Fuchs, the presumption of innocence was once again not taken seriously,” reminds ÖVP justice spokeswoman Michaela Steinacker today, Thursday, of the media distributions to the head of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office (OStA), Johann Fuchs, who today in an appeal hearing of the in first instance acquittal was confirmed. The acquittal is not reported to the same extent as when the allegations became known. It is of course legitimate for authorities to carry out such investigations. Steinacker emphasizes: “We live in a functioning constitutional state. Only the independent judiciary decides what is right and wrong.” For the deputy, it is therefore essential to wait for a preliminary investigation and to evaluate the final results.

“All allegations that have been leveled against Fuchs in the media in recent months have turned out to be unfounded. Once again it must be pointed out that the presumption of innocence applies to everyone in Austria,” said Steinacker, who at the same time spoke out in favor of improved rights for the accused: “You do not do justice to the rule of law when acquitted suspects have to bear the high costs in addition to the severe psychological burden remain. In addition, the procedures must finally be accelerated. But no one may be presented in public and prejudiced.” (Conclusion)