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Austria ruling party raided over media corruption claims

Over claims that government money was used in a corrupt deal

06 October, 19:22
(ANSA-AFP) - VIENNA, OCT 6 - Austrian prosecutors raided the offices of the ruling party on Wednesday over claims that government money was used in a corrupt deal to ensure positive coverage in a tabloid newspaper. People's Party (OeVP) deputy general secretary Gabriela Schwarz said the raids were "for show" and that "accusations were constructed over events that date back as far as five years", though she gave no further detail of the claims. Austrian media outlets reported that raids also took place in the chancellery and targeted several employees of OeVP Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. According to Austria's Oe1 public broadcaster, the warrant for Wednesday's raids alleges that finance ministry funds were used to pay for opinion polls that were favourable to Kurz. The polls were then published in the Oesterreich tabloid, allegedly in return for lucrative government adverts. Kurz is suspected of being an accessory to the offences, according to the leaked warrant.

(ANSA-AFP).

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