Prosecutors seek immunity waiver for SPÖ lawmaker Kocevar

Austria’s Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has asked parliament to lift the immunity of Wolfgang Kocevar, the SPÖ lawmaker and mayor of Ebreichsdorf, in connection with investigations into suspected fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy and accepting an advantage, ORF reported.

The prosecutor’s office is investigating several people. It confirmed to the APA news agency that it had requested the waiver of an MP’s immunity from National Council President Walter Rosenkranz, but did not identify the lawmaker. Kocevar said on Monday that he supported lifting his immunity and denied the allegations.

Investigators suspect that, in connection with the rezoning of a property, Kocevar accepted an advantage for the municipality worth more than 3,000 euros. The prosecutor’s office said the applicant for the rezoning allegedly agreed to cover the full cost of a city ball and to donate part of a plot of land.

The ball was held on Jan. 24 at the former Magna Racino, which was taken over by the Comer Group, led by billionaire Luke Comer.

Kocevar said the case stemmed from a complaint by a private individual. He called the allegations “completely baseless” and said he wanted them to be clarified quickly. The National Council’s Immunity Committee will decide on the request.