A retired Austrian accused of selling 424 grams of heroin
A 69-year-old Austrian man appeared before the regional criminal court in Vienna, accused of selling more than 424 grams of heroin over a period of two years. The prosecution claims that the retiree sold drugs to a 31-year-old woman, making profits estimated at around 16,960 euros. The man told the court that he was facing financial difficulties as he receives a monthly pension of 700 euros, which led him to sell drugs 'to improve his living situation.'
According to the indictment, the deals took place between September 2023 and September 2025, where it was alleged that the accused was supplying the woman with heroin weekly. In the session, he partially admitted to the charges but denied the quantity attributed to him, saying: "Yes, I sold, but not 400 grams, that's a lot. I was using small amounts only twice a week."
The woman who was his alleged customer told the police that the man had been her main supplier of drugs for two years, claiming that she had bought drugs from him about 30 times at a price of 40 euros per gram. However, the accused completely denied this, asserting that he had only met her three times and sold her five grams each time.
Defense attorney Roland Freese confirmed that his client partially confessed, but he considered the amount of drugs attributed to him to be 'exaggerated.' He added that the defense would seek leniency due to his advanced age and deteriorating health condition.
Due to the absence of the police officer who conducted the investigation with the witness, the judge decided to postpone the session to a later date. The defense's request for the release of the accused from pre-trial detention was also denied. The man remains in custody, with the assurance that the presumption of innocence remains until the final verdict is issued.