Tag: Hans-Peter Haselsteiner

Austria’s courts have extended René Benko’s pre-trial detention to 12 January 2026, while a second trial over asset transfers is scheduled for 10 and 16 December 2025 in Innsbruck. His October conviction (24 months) over a €300,000 transfer remains on appeal. The spotlight now widens to political facilitators and the Vienna-registered World Economic Council (WEC) as creditors and prosecutors trace where the money went.

A few days ago, investors withdrew their confidence in the former real estate tycoon René Benko, 46, and insisted that he transfer the voting rights of his shares in the Signa Group to the appointed restructuring expert. Benko's Signa empire immediately needs another €300 million; otherwise, it will collapse. The liabilities to banks amount to around €11 billion, of which €2 billion is due this year. But the money is not available; the banks are trembling.