Austrian former MEP risks 10 years’ jail

On 9 August 2012 special prosecutors in Vienna charged Ernst Strasser, former Austrian euro-deputy and interior minister, with corruption.

Mr Strasser was one of three members of the European Parliament caught while taking a bribe to influence legislation at the European Parliament in March 2011. He denied all of the accusations.

The trial began on the 26 November 2012.

Mr Stasser was sentenced to a four-year prison term on the 14 January 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Jörg Haider's Legacy. Corruption Scandals Shake Faith in Austrian Democracy http://www.europeansources.info/record/jorg-haiders-legacy-corruption-scandals-shake-faith-in-austrian-democracy/

ESO: Background information: Press Release: Anti-Corruption Prosecutors from all over Europe meeting in Austria http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-anti-corruption-prosecutors-from-all-over-europe-meeting-in-austria/

BBC News, 9.8.12: Austrian ex-MEP on bribery charge over Strasbourg 'deal' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19196486

ESO: Background information: Former Austrian PM quits politics amid graft scandal http://www.europeansources.info/record/former-austrian-pm-quits-politics-amid-graft-scandal/

ESO: Background information: MEP resigns over claims of lobbyist payments http://www.europeansources.info/record/mep-resigns-over-claims-of-lobbyist-payments/

EUObserver, 27.11.12: Former MEP on trial in cash-for-amendments scandal http://euobserver.com/justice/118325

BBC News, 26.11.12: Trial of Austrian ex-MEP Ernst Strasser opens http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20492937

EurActiv, 15.01.13: Ex-Austrian MEP imprisoned in lobbying scandal http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/lobbying-scandal-sends-mep-jail-news-517055

BBC News, 14.01.13: Austrian ex-MEP Ernst Strasser jailed for bribe-taking http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21017914

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