Italy issues arrest warrant for Signa founder René Benko

The Trent Prosecutor's Office has issued an arrest warrant for René Benko, the founder of bankrupt real estate group Signa. Others arrested in Italy include Bolzano economic adviser Heinz Peter Hager and Riva del Garda mayor Cristina Santi.

Everyone is under house arrest. According to Italian media reports, police are conducting a search at Bolzano City Hall.

A total of 100 searches were carried out on Tuesday of other people under investigation. The targets are companies and public institutions in the provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Brescia, Milan, Pavia, Rome and Verona, as well as abroad. The measure, taken by the Trento District Court at the request of prosecutors, is reportedly the result of a complex investigation by Italian police and tax police.

Heinz Peter Hager was also arrested.Image: APA/Juice

“The European Arrest Warrant will not be executed against Mr. Benko. Mr. Benko will continue to cooperate fully with all national and international authorities as before and is confident that any allegations against him can be clarified as incorrect,” Benko's lawyer Norbert Wess told reporters APA said in a preliminary statement.

accused of multiple crimes

According to the Trent Prosecutor's Office, the charges against individuals include forming a criminal organization, bid rigging, illegal party financing, undue influence, fraud, illegal receipt of benefits to the detriment of the state and various crimes against public administration, including corruption, unacceptable incitement Acts, disclosure of official secrets and omissions. In addition, issuing invoices for transactions that have not actually occurred may also violate tax regulations. The presumption of innocence applies pending possible conviction, according to a statement from the Trent Prosecutor's Office.

The investigation in South Tyrol is also ongoing as part of a wide-ranging investigation by the Trent prosecutor's office into various real estate projects in northern Italy. The investigation covers projects between 2018 and 2022.

A total of 77 people are affected by the investigation, including 11 public administration officials, 20 managers and officials of local authorities and investment companies, police officers, freelancers and a number of South Tyrol entrepreneurs. According to Italian media reports, nine people are currently under house arrest.

Dazzling figure Heinz Peter Hager

Some of those surveyed influenced and controlled public administration decisions, particularly in the area of ​​construction speculation in Trentino-South Tyrol. Entrepreneurs involved are said to be willing to finance local government campaigns and then receive concessions, simplified procedures and concessions for their real estate projects.

Heinz Peter Hager is also involved in these investigations as the legal representative of a number of companies. He is President of WaltherPark AG. He has been René Benko's partner for more than ten years.

The business consultant has been involved in many real estate projects over the years. He gained a great reputation through the “Waltherpark” project in Bolzano. “Heinz Peter Hager has provided full cooperation to investigators and expressed great confidence in the judiciary,” said the press office of the prominent Bolzano auditor. (Sudanese Development Authority/Africa Task Force/ Apa)

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