Trial of ex-resident US billionaire

“Airborne Technologies” is said to have converted agricultural aircraft into military equipment and exported them abroad without the necessary authorization. The quintet in the dock pleaded not guilty. The hearing continues on December 14th.

The first defendant is the 53-year-old Australian pilot who is said to have flown the two planes across the Austrian border. Prince is considered to be involved – as are two Airborne managing directors and another trained pilot, who also acted as a consultant. The quintet is accused of violating Section 7 of the War Materials Act. If convicted, you could face up to three years in prison. The public prosecutor’s office also requested that an association fine be imposed on Airborne Technologies GmbH. The company also denied the allegations.

Norbert Wess, who defends Prince and two other defendants, emphasized in his opening speech that neither the individual conversions themselves nor the modifications in an overall view indicate that they are considered war material. “We firmly believe that the classification is legally incorrect,” emphasized the lawyer.

The public prosecutor’s office assumes that the machines, which in their view are ultimately classified as war material, should be transported out of the country profitably and inconspicuously. FSG founder Prince, together with the fifth defendant pilot and consultant, may have suggested the crime plan disputed by the defense. According to the prosecution, both also acted as “links” between FSG and Airborne.