Only a few days before the early parliamentary elections in Austria, the former bodyguard was arrested by former FPÖ leader and ex-vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache. The politician had fallen over the Ibiza affair four months ago. His former confidant was now taken into custody on Tuesday after a house search. This was reported by the Austrian newspapers "Der Standard" and "Die Presse".
The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office stated that a preliminary investigation had been initiated on suspicion of misappropriation of party funds. According to media reports, the bodyguard is suspected of having helped build a system of false expense accounts that Strache has benefited from. The FPÖ confirmed that it had initiated internal investigations into the allegations. In addition, she had excluded the bodyguard from the party.
Strache had to resign because of a secretly filmed video showing how he promises public procurement to an alleged Russian oligarchs niece for their potential election campaign assistance. The government of the ÖVP by chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the FPÖ fell over it. Strache's ex-bodyguard is said to know the backers of the video.
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The FPÖ fears the impact of the new investigation on the parliamentary election next Sunday. According to polls, the right-wing populist party could receive around 20 percent of the vote. Short 'ÖVP are predicted more than 30 percent. The 33-year-old ÖVP leader has not ruled out a renewed coalition with the FPÖ.
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