The judge and his family are being threatened after the acquittal verdicts in the case of the assault on a girl.
Austria was shaken after the acquittal of ten defendants in the widely followed Anna-Sophia case. The regional court in Vienna decided to release young men aged between 16 and 21, which sparked a wave of anger across the country. The case revolved around allegations of repeated sexual assaults on a 12-year-old girl in the Favoriten area during 2023. However, the court announced on Friday the acquittal of all defendants. The ruling is not final.
The judge explained that the acquittal was based on the clear contradictions in the girl's testimonies, both during police questioning and in subsequent sessions. He emphasized that criminal law does not allow for conviction unless there is an absence of reasonable doubt, which was not possible due to conflicting evidence. A large part of the trial, especially the sensitive testimonies, took place behind closed doors to protect the victim, leaving the public with an informational void regarding the details of the decision.
The ruling sparked a storm of criticism. The court described the media coverage of the case as "regrettable" and "inaccurate in parts," noting that some reports distorted the findings of the investigation. The High Court of Appeal in Vienna issued a stern warning, condemning the threats and insults directed at the judge and his family. President Katharina Lehner stated that such attacks are "unacceptable," warning that misleading news and speculation undermine citizens' trust in the judiciary.
And Lehmeyer emphasized that judges are strictly bound by the law and evidence. While the public prosecutor decides the charges, the court can only rule based on what is presented to it during the trial. She affirmed that the acquittal came in accordance with constitutional principles, even if some parts of the evidence were not disclosed to the public due to the protection of the victims. She pointed out that the judiciary respects freedom of expression and critical journalism, but believes that false information threatens trust in the rule of law.
The case is not over yet. The Ministry of Justice has ordered the Public Prosecution to appeal the acquittal decisions, which means the file will be transferred to the Supreme Court. Justice Minister Anna Schober has also announced her intention to immediately reform the sexual offenses law, confirming that she will introduce the principle of consent "Yes means Yes" into Austrian legislation. Regardless of the legal outcome of the case, the trial of Anna-Sophia has already ignited a political and social confrontation over how the judicial system handles sexual assault cases.