Former Chancellor Kurz has confidence in the lawsuit over alleged false statement American actor Leonardo DiCaprio invests in watch company in Geneva

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz appeared confident before his trial over an alleged false statement.

“I hope for a fair trial and that the accusations ultimately turn out to be false,” the 37-year-old said on Wednesday shortly before the start of the first day of the trial at the Vienna Regional Court. At the same time, he criticized that the investigations could be politically influenced. The reason for the trial is an interaction between politicians and prosecutors for corruption. “I find it very worrying that more and more attempts are being made to engage in politics with advertisements.”

According to the Public Prosecution Service, the 37-year-old lied to the so-called Ibiza investigative committee in parliament. He is said to have had considerably more influence on the appointment of his confidant Thomas Schmid as head of the state holding company Öbag than he admitted in the committee. Kurz strongly denies the allegations. His lawyer speaks of a ‘mere accumulation of false arguments’.

The crime carries a prison sentence of up to three years. Two of Kurz’s confidants are also charged, including on suspicion of making false statements. The process will initially take three days, but will likely take significantly longer.

(yam/sda/dpa)