Klagenfurt court postpones trial over rape and assault allegations

ORF reports that a trial involving a 33-year-old man from the St Veit district accused of raping, threatening and assaulting his former partner was postponed after a hearing at the Klagenfurt regional court on Monday.

The prosecution also alleges that the man repeatedly slapped his former partner after arguments. One of her three daughters, who is the accused’s stepdaughter, testified that he had slapped her several times as well.

The accused denied most of the allegations. He admitted in court to slapping his former partner once at a Christmas party in 2018 and apologised for it. He denied the alleged rape, further assaults and any threats.

He said the criminal complaint resulted from a dispute over custody of their children, claiming that his former partner wanted to challenge their joint custody arrangement.

The panel, presided over by Judge Gernot Kugi, also heard testimony from the woman’s brother and sister. They said they had known nothing about an alleged rape until the complaint was filed. Her sister said the woman had not wanted to discuss it out of shame.

Further witnesses are due to be questioned, so the trial was adjourned. The accused is presumed innocent.