Cabaret performer "Gunkl" Paal in court: abuse, imagery and blackmail
Günther Paal, known as "Gunkl", faces court in Vienna on 22 October 2026 – accused of sexually abusing a small child and possessing abusive imagery.
"Gunkl" Paal charged in Vienna: abuse, imagery and 159,000 euros blackmail
Günther Paal, known to Vienna's audiences as cabaret performer "Gunkl", appeared before the jury panel of the Vienna Regional Court on 22 October 2026. As reported by 5min.at, the mother and grandmother of the affected child are also on trial alongside Paal – they are accused of serious blackmail.
According to the charge, Paal is alleged to have sexually abused a three-year-old girl in the mother's flat in January 2025. He is said to have maintained a partially paid, family-like relationship with the 42-year-old woman and her mother for over ten years. Following the incident, the two women demanded cash: they threatened to involve a violent family member and to reveal what had happened. Until May 2026, Paal is alleged to have handed over a total of 159,000 euros to them at various meeting points.
In addition to the abuse allegations, Paal faces court on charges of possessing abusive imagery. During a search of his property, authorities secured a computer containing 960 photographs and 19 video files. Paal is said to have downloaded the files from the internet years ago; in May this year, he made a voluntary disclosure.
The trial in the Grand Jury courtroom is scheduled for three and a half hours. During the discussion of the act, the public will be excluded to protect the victim. All three defendants are said by their lawyers to intend to plead guilty. Because penetrative intercourse did not take place, Paal faces between six months and five years imprisonment if convicted; otherwise, a sentence of up to ten years would be possible. Proceedings begin at 10.00 am, and verdicts against all defendants are already expected at 13.30.
Due to significant media interest and anticipated protests outside the courthouse, special security measures are in place. The ORF reports that the hearing is being prepared in close coordination with the security authorities. The aim is a fair and human-rights compliant procedure for all parties involved.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)