VIENNA — An Austrian former intelligence official and a far-right ex-lawmaker are due to go on trial on Wednesday for allegedly violating official secrecy, the first charges in a closely watched case involving Russia spying accusations.
The case came to light earlier this year and has cast the spotlight on the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which topped September’s national elections for the first time.
Former agent Egisto Ott was detained for two months from March, suspected of passing information to the Russian secret services and to fugitive entrepreneur Jan Marsalek.
Since then, leaked prosecution material has indicated that informants close to the FPOe are still operating in Vienna. The FPOe has dismissed all accusations.
Ott will go on trial in the Vienna criminal court, together with former FPOe lawmaker Hans-Joerg Jenewein.
Jenewein is accused of convincing Ott to uncover and share confidential information, including details on participants in a meeting of European secret services.
Ott is also suspected of passing on the names of intelligence service employees in 2019 to Jenewein, thereby “endangering national security”.
The two men face up to three years in prison on the charge of violating official secrecy.
Two days have been set for the trial, which is scheduled to start at 9:15 am local time (0815 GMT). But it could last longer, according to a court spokeswoman.
In a video statement released ahead of the trial, Ott’s lawyers said there “was no compelling evidence” against their client who “of course would not confess”.
