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Austria's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP)
Photo: Martin Juen / imago images / SEPA.Media
The Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz expects an indictment in the ongoing investigation by the public prosecutor's office.
"After every word of mine has been put on the scales on 58 pages, I definitely expect a criminal complaint, that is correct," said the head of the conservative ÖVP of the "Kronen Zeitung".
In doing so, he referred to his own statements in a committee of inquiry into the so-called Ibiza affair around his ex-coalition partner Heinz-Christian Strache (then FPÖ), which he is accused of making false statements.
In Austria the public prosecutor's office can bring an indictment to court in certain cases as a criminal complaint.
However, he does not expect a conviction, said Kurz.
"I have spoken to numerous lawyers and several university professors," said the Chancellor.
"The tenor was the same everywhere: Nobody can imagine that there will be a conviction here."
Kurz excludes resignation again
Kurz also confirmed in an interview with the newspaper »Austria« that he had not committed a criminal offense.
"What I definitely know is that I went to the U-Committee with the intention of answering the questions truthfully." Kurz once again ruled out resignation.
The Austrian judiciary is investigating Kurz because he is suspected of having testified wrongly before the parliament's committee of inquiry into Ibiza.
Kurz himself had confirmed investigations by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA) against him and his head of cabinet.
He is accused of not telling the truth in connection with appointments at the state holding ÖBAG.
Kurz had said that he expected the allegations to resolve.
The ÖBAG manages the state holdings in companies such as the oil company OMV, Telekom Austria or the electricity company Verbund.
nis / Reuters