Abuse in Klagenfurt Park: Five men in court
Five men from Carinthia are appearing before the Klagenfurt Regional Court. They are accused of abusing a psychologically impaired woman in a park in 2021.
Trial in Klagenfurt: defendants accused of exploiting victim's disability
As reported by Kleine Zeitung, a serious abuse case will be heard on Monday before the Klagenfurt Regional Court. Five men from Carinthia must answer charges of sexual abuse of a defenceless or psychologically impaired person. The incidents occurred in early 2021 in a park in Klagenfurt.
The defendants were between 14 and 17 years old at the time of the alleged offence. The female victim was more than 20 years old and suffers from a psychological impairment. Over two to three consecutive days, the youths are alleged to have met with the woman in various group constellations. According to the prosecutor's indictment, abuse took place during these meetings. Parts of it were filmed by the youths and sent via mobile phone.
According to the prosecution, the defendants recognised the woman's impairment and deliberately exploited it. The victim was not in a position to assess the situation and the associated decisions with the cognitive capabilities available to her.
Most of the defendants admitted to the physical acts in general but deny the legally relevant core: everything happened voluntarily, and they knew nothing of the woman's psychological impairment. Lawyer Michael Hirm, who represents one of the defendants, stated: "My client was only 14 years old at the time, immature and had no experience. It was not clear to him that the woman, who was almost ten years his senior, was psychologically impaired." Hirm also emphasised that his client only found out about the impairment afterwards.
The defence lawyer also criticised the lengthy investigation, which lasted nearly five years. "My client is now of legal age, has received good training and has done nothing wrong," Hirm said. By contrast, the prosecution views the statements of the defendants as pure excuses.
Five and a half hours have been scheduled for Monday's hearing. Several witnesses who were in the park at the time of the alleged offence are to be questioned. A psychiatric expert will also be heard. A video interview with the victim is already available to the court.
The presumption of innocence applies to all defendants.
Source: Kleine Zeitung