Cabaret performer Gunkl charged with child sexual abuse – public confession on Facebook
Austrian cabaret performer Günther "Gunkl" Paal has been charged with child sexual abuse and possession of abuse material. The 64-year-old publicly admitted to the allegations.
Charges against Gunkl: abuse allegations, extortion and a public confession
Austrian cabaret performer Günther "Gunkl" Paal has been charged at the Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters with child sexual abuse. According to gmx.at, Paal had filed a self-report in May – a fact that only became public now.
On Wednesday evening, the 64-year-old addressed the public directly in a video on Facebook and admitted to the allegations. "I have brought shame upon myself," he said, visibly affected. "I deeply regret what I have done."
Accusations from Vienna's prosecutors
According to prosecuting attorney spokesperson Judith Ziska, Paal is accused of "engaging in sexual conduct with a minor and procuring and possessing at least 960 image files and 19 video files of sexually abusive material involving minors of both sexes". According to Christina Salzborn, spokesperson for the Vienna Regional Criminal Court, the abuse allegedly took place in early 2025.
In his statement, Paal admitted to a single assault on the now five-year-old daughter of an acquaintance. "I kissed a child in a place where adults should not kiss children," he said. He said it caused him "infinite regret".
In addition, he confessed to possession of abuse material on a home computer. "That was a phase in my life. I had a desire for such videos." He had "eventually forgotten" about the computer – he "genuinely did not know" that the material was still there. Authorities seized the incriminating files from him. According to his lawyer Florian Höllwarth, it was an old device that the artist had "not used for five to six years".
Approximately 189,000 euros in blackmail payments
In addition to Paal, two other women were charged – a 42-year-old and her 62-year-old mother – with aggravated extortion. The two Slovak nationals allegedly subjected the cabaret performer to pressure over an extended period and forced him to pay approximately 189,000 euros. "They allegedly coerced the artist over an extended period by threatening to publish compromising information into handing over approximately 189,000 euros," the prosecution said. According to the charges, threats were made to publish photographs allegedly showing him in the act of sexual contact with the child.
According to her legal representative Werner Wendt, the 42-year-old "fully confessed"; her mother "largely confessed". Wendt described a "very familial relationship" that the two women had maintained with the artist. The Vienna prosecution confirmed the allegations on Wednesday afternoon to the APA, after Paal's lawyer had already made public statements.
The two women have been in custody on remand since early June and early July respectively, due to risk of flight and risk of tampering with evidence. Paal himself remains at large.
Child in care of MA 11
The affected girl is now in the care of the Children's and Youth Welfare department of the municipal authority (MA 11). Spokesperson Ingrid Pöschmann confirmed to the APA: "The children are doing well." A seven-year-old brother of the girl is also under the care of MA 11. The authority would not disclose exactly when the child was removed from care. According to legal representative Wendt, the child removal is unrelated to the criminal investigation.
Sentencing guidelines and further proceedings
The prosecution set out the sentencing range: the two accused women face one to ten years imprisonment; Paal faces six months to five years. The charges are not yet final; the defendants have 14 days from service of the charges to lodge an appeal. According to the court, a trial date before the jury court at the regional court has not yet been set. All three will have to answer to the court together.
Paal, who has allegedly known the 42-year-old for around 15 years, ended his statement with an appeal to the public: "I want to warn everyone who has such inclinations within them against trying to work it out themselves." He continued: "That is not possible alone. Protect children. If you feel such inclinations within you: seek help."
Paal is known as a cabaret performer under the stage name "Gunkl". The premiere of his 15th solo programme "Apropos übrigens" was recently cancelled "for health reasons".
(APA/edited by jst)
Source: Kleine Zeitung