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Austrian Embassy in London issued 79 travel documents unlawfully
The Austrian Foreign Ministry has uncovered a major irregularity at its embassy in London involving the unlawful issuance of 79 travel documents to 39 individuals who did not meet Austrian citizenship requirements. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger confirmed that the documents have been declared invalid and revoked.
The incident was first detected in April after a document was sent to the Vienna Immigration and Citizenship Office (MA 35) for verification. The suspicious employee involved in the matter is no longer part of the ministry's staff.
The Federal Office for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (BAK) and the relevant public prosecutor's office are currently conducting an investigation. Green Party spokesperson Meri Disoski has raised significant security concerns, noting that it remains unclear who received the documents, how they might be used, and whether any payments were made to facilitate the issuance.
Entities
Austrian Embassy in London · Austrian Foreign Ministry · Beate Meinl-Reisinger · Federal Office for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption · Meri Disoski
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The unlawfully issued documents have been declared invalid and revoked. www.vol.at · www.diepresse.com · havadis.at · kroativ.at · brandaktuell.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Federal Office for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (BAK) is conducting an investigation into the matter. www.vol.at · www.diepresse.com · kroativ.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspicious employee involved is no longer part of the Austrian Foreign Ministry staff. www.vol.at · www.diepresse.com · havadis.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] Questions remain regarding who received the documents, their intended use, and whether payments were made. www.vol.at · www.diepresse.com · havadis.at
- [● 5 SOURCES] 79 travel documents were unlawfully issued to 39 individuals at the Austrian Embassy in London. www.vol.at · brandaktuell.at · www.diepresse.com · havadis.at · kroativ.at