HiPP extortion suspect released from Austrian custody

An Austrian court has released a 39-year-old Slovak national from custody pending trial in an alleged extortion attempt against the baby food manufacturer HiPP. The suspect, a former employee of the company, is accused of placing baby food jars contaminated with rat poison in supermarkets across Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Authorities seized one contaminated jar in Austria containing 15 micrograms of rat poison. While experts determined this amount was not life-threatening, it could cause health issues if consumed. In both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the contaminated jars were successfully recovered, though one jar intended for a supermarket in Eisenstadt remains missing.

The suspect denies the poisoning allegations but has admitted to forging income documents to secure bank loans. Under the court's decision, he must surrender his passport, report to police every two weeks, and remain within Austria while the investigation continues. Prosecutors are currently preparing the formal indictment.