Overview
- Defense attorney Norbert Wess filed a nullity complaint and a separate appeal on Oct. 20, contesting the conviction’s basis and the two‑year sentence respectively.
- The Innsbruck court found creditor harm linked to a €300,000 transfer to Benko’s mother and concealed cash and valuables reported around €370,000, but the judgment is not final.
- The nullity complaint goes to Austria’s Supreme Court (OGH), which can annul parts of the ruling and potentially render the sentence appeal before the Innsbruck higher regional court moot.
- Benko was acquitted on a separate count over roughly €360,000 in rental and operating‑cost prepayments, and the anti‑corruption prosecutor has said it will seek remedies against that acquittal.
- Benko has been in pretrial detention since January with time to be credited if a sentence becomes final, as broader Signa‑related probes continue in Austria, Germany and Italy.