The bankrupt vultures took out loans with usurious interest rates from a suspect. When they couldn’t pay, it became extremely dangerous. The trial was on Tuesday.
The charges against Cihan C. (44) seem to come out of a mafia novel. The Turkish native made loans to unfortunate people in Vienna-Ottakring, then demanded extortion interest, according to the indictment. If the victims could not pay, they were threatened with violence. “Okay, you have no more debts. Say goodbye to your family and all those you still want to see. You will live for another three months”, a compatriot would have threatened in May 2020. Cihan C. had granted him a loan of 45,000 euros at a rate monthly interest of 12 percent.
“Thrown before Schnellbahn”
He allegedly granted another victim a loan of € 5,000, but asked for € 1,000 in interest per month. When the victim could not pay the requested amount, things became dangerous. The suspect allegedly threatened to throw him in front of the Schnellbahn in Vienna-Ottakring. He threatened the man with a gun.
“Light up your home”
Several people are said to have fallen into the trap of the alleged loan shark. For example, a Viennese contracted a debt of 18,000 euros with the defendant. He would have had to pay € 10,000 in interest within six weeks. When he was unable to collect the money, the defendant demanded € 1,000 a day, until the debt was paid. To do this, Cihan C. sent the victim several text messages with the content that would set his house on fire and break his windows. He also punched the man in the face, according to the indictment.
The best lawyer has reached a lenient verdict
The prosecution claims usury and aggravated coercion. Cihan C. (44) – well defended by top lawyer Philipp Wolm – made no statements on the allegations in court on Tuesday in Vienna. But he pleaded guilty. The mild verdict: 18 months of conditional imprisonment – not final. It is the presumption of innocence.
