Illegal beauty clinic in Vienna-Mariahilf: Two Georgians arrested
Two people without medical accreditation carried out cosmetic procedures in short-term accommodation. Botox, hyaluronic acid and cash were seized.
Eleventh illegal beauty clinic uncovered in Vienna
An illegal beauty clinic has been discovered again in Vienna. According to the Kleine Zeitung, two people were encountered during inspections on Sunday in rented short-term accommodation in the 6th district of Mariahilf, who are suspected of having carried out cosmetic procedures there without medical authorisation.
The Immediate Measures Group conducted the inspection together with the Financial Police following a corresponding tip-off. Seized were syringes, preparations such as Botox and hyaluronic acid, prescription painkillers and thousands of euros in cash.
The 54-year-old man and 32-year-old woman have no medical accreditation whatsoever for such procedures. Both are from Georgia and did not speak a word of German. At the time of the inspection, no clients were found in the premises. During a house search ordered by the public prosecutor, however, officers found numerous already-used syringes and pads. The seized preparations were confiscated.
The two operators were taken to a police station for questioning on charges of foreign law violations. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office issued charges on their own recognisance, as the police informed the APA.
Walter Hillerer, head of the Immediate Measures Group, stated: "Medical treatments without the required authorisation entail considerable risks to health. The fact that we have already uncovered the eleventh illegal clinic shows how important our ongoing inspections are – including on Sundays and public holidays." Hillerer also emphasised the importance of checking legal opening hours for fair competition in the city.
The action in Mariahilf was part of the "Safe Vienna" focus campaign. In addition to the Immediate Measures Group and the Financial Police, the on-call service of the State Police Directorate, Vienna Municipal Gardens (MA 42), the Waste Watchers of MA 48 and the Market Office (MA 59) were involved. In total, 24 businesses across the city were inspected, including food shops. Cleanliness and hygiene in Viennese parks and public spaces were also checked.
The municipal authority issued a total of 29 charges – including under the opening hours law, for unauthorised business activity and under the Trade Regulation Act. Police issued six charges, including for quackery, drug trafficking and under the Aliens Police Act. As part of the focus campaign, a total of five people were provisionally arrested: in addition to the two suspected beauty doctors, three further people for foreign law violations.
Source: Kleine Zeitung