Disgraced Austrian councillor to attend meetings with ankle monitor
An Austrian politician from the Inn Pirate Party, who spent six months in prison for drugs offences, will be allowed to serve the rest of his 18 month sentence under house arrest with an ankle monitor - and can attend local government meetings in Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol.
Heinrich Stemeseder is the first politician in Austria who’s allowed to attend such sessions whilst still on parole, and he will be allowed to keep his role as a city councillor. Stemeseder is due to have his ankle monitor fitted at Innsbruck prison on January 12th.
In August, a judge refused to grant Stemeseder the right to an ankle monitor as he said his activity in the district council did not give him enough of a daily routine. But Stemeseder's lawyer, and the head of the Tyrolean Freedom Party Markus Abwerzger, were able to demonstrate that the political work of Innsbruck council does provide a daily structure, all week.
Stemeseder told the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper that he was "immensely relieved” about the decision.
In January, Innsbruck High Court found the “Inn Pirates” Alexander Ofer and Stemeseder guilty of dealing drugs. Ofer received a four and a half year conditional sentence.
The Inn Pirates party is in favour of legalizing cannabis and called for volunteers to take part in a ‘scientific study’ called THC4all - which would allow them to legally consume marijuana as part of research into its long-term effects. 2,000 people were offered five grams of marijuana for a fee.
When police raided Ofer’s apartment they found 2.7 kg of cannabis stored in a safe. Stemeseder said he was only responsible for dispensing legal advice about the project.
Comments
See Also
Heinrich Stemeseder is the first politician in Austria who’s allowed to attend such sessions whilst still on parole, and he will be allowed to keep his role as a city councillor. Stemeseder is due to have his ankle monitor fitted at Innsbruck prison on January 12th.
In August, a judge refused to grant Stemeseder the right to an ankle monitor as he said his activity in the district council did not give him enough of a daily routine. But Stemeseder's lawyer, and the head of the Tyrolean Freedom Party Markus Abwerzger, were able to demonstrate that the political work of Innsbruck council does provide a daily structure, all week.
Stemeseder told the Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper that he was "immensely relieved” about the decision.
In January, Innsbruck High Court found the “Inn Pirates” Alexander Ofer and Stemeseder guilty of dealing drugs. Ofer received a four and a half year conditional sentence.
The Inn Pirates party is in favour of legalizing cannabis and called for volunteers to take part in a ‘scientific study’ called THC4all - which would allow them to legally consume marijuana as part of research into its long-term effects. 2,000 people were offered five grams of marijuana for a fee.
When police raided Ofer’s apartment they found 2.7 kg of cannabis stored in a safe. Stemeseder said he was only responsible for dispensing legal advice about the project.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.